ALBANY, New York – As Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes prepared to take on the LSU Tigers in the Elite Eight at MVP Arena – a rematch of last year’s NCAA Championship game – young fans immediately made their way as close to the court as they could get to see her in action.
Clark has declared her intention to enter the WNBA, which means if the Hawkeyes lose Monday night, her college career comes to an end. But it’s impossible not to recognize the impact she’s having on and off the court.
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Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes signs autographs for fans after a win against the Colorado Buffaloes during the Sweet Sixteen round of the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament held at MVP Arena on March 30, 2024 in Albany, New York. (Greg Fiume/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
I had a chance to walk around the arena about 90 minutes before tip-off and speak to some of those fans. None of them could contain their smiles when I asked about their favorite player.
“She’s a great basketball player, and she doesn’t care what people think about her,” one young girl said, donning a shirt with Caitlin Clark’s #22 with the word “GOAT” written across her chest.
“She’s the best shooter in the world and I hope to be like her someday,” another fan gushed.
Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes signs autographs for fans after a win against the Colorado Buffaloes during the Sweet Sixteen round of the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament held at MVP Arena on March 30, 2024 in Albany, New York. (Greg Fiume/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
Some of them talked about her basketball abilities. “I can’t wait to see her shoot threes tonight!” one said, while another noted that she’s “really skilled.”
Other girls mentioned how much they appreciate her. “I really look up to her,” one told me.
Perhaps one of the young fans summed it up best when I asked why she was so excited to see Caitlin Clark play tonight.
“Because she’s the GOAT,” she quickly responded.
Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes looks on before a game against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Elite 8 round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at MVP Arena on April 01, 2024 in Albany, New York. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
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Caitlin Clark’s basketball career is far from over, but her impact is already being felt across the sporting world, especially in the eyes of the young girls watching.
