Caitlin Clark made headlines in her final three college games by setting and breaking her own records. The 2023 Elite Eight rematch between Iowa and LSU drew over 12 million viewers, setting a record for the most-watched women’s college basketball game at the time. The Final Four matchup against UConn surpassed that, and the championship game against South Carolina set a new record with 18.7 million viewers, peaking at 24 million. ESPN noted that this championship game was the most-watched sporting event outside of American football and the Olympics since 2019. South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley credited Clark for boosting the popularity of women’s basketball, and she received praise from basketball Hall of Famer Magic Johnson for her extraordinary play throughout the season.
During her final season, Caitlin Clark achieved a significant milestone by becoming the all-time leading scorer in both men’s and women’s college basketball, surpassing LSU’s Pete Maravich. With 30 points scored in the championship game against South Carolina, Clark finished her career with 3,921 points, averaging 31.7 points per game for the season. Though the Hawkeyes ultimately fell short in winning the NCAA title, Clark’s stellar performance throughout the season solidified her reputation as one of the top players in collegiate basketball. Despite being held to 5-of-20 shooting by South Carolina’s Raven Johnson, Clark’s career achievements and the success of the Hawkeyes cannot be overshadowed by the championship loss.
The loss in the championship game does not diminish the success of Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes throughout the season. The team started strong by going on a 10-0 run in the championship game, with Clark scoring 18 points in the first quarter. However, South Carolina’s tough defense limited her scoring for the remainder of the game. Despite falling short in the championship, Clark’s remarkable season and career will be remembered as an incredible journey filled with record-breaking performances and individual accolades. Fox News’ Scott Thompson contributed to the coverage of Clark’s achievements, and readers can follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage for the latest updates on collegiate basketball and other sports news.
Overall, Caitlin Clark’s final season in college basketball captivated audiences and set new records for viewership. Her impressive scoring ability and achievements throughout the season, including becoming the all-time leading scorer in college basketball history, solidified her legacy as one of the greatest players to grace the collegiate stage. Despite falling short in the championship game against South Carolina, Clark’s impact on the sport was recognized by fans, coaches, and former players alike. Moving forward, as Clark prepares for the WNBA Draft and the next chapter in her basketball career, her contributions to women’s basketball and her record-breaking season will be remembered as a pivotal moment in the growth of the sport.
