The question of whether Iowa’s Caitlin Clark needs to win the national championship to be considered the greatest of all time (GOAT) in women’s college basketball has been a topic of debate leading up to the 2024 NCAA championship game against South Carolina. South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley believes that winning the championship would secure Clark’s GOAT status, although she hopes that doesn’t happen. Clark, the NCAA all-time leading scorer, announced that she would declare for the WNBA Draft after this season, making this her final collegiate game.
Breanna Stewart, a four-time UConn champion and widely considered one of the greatest college players of all time, expressed the opinion that Clark does need to win a national championship to solidify her legacy. Stewart, who won a title every year she played and swept the Final Four Most Outstanding Player awards, believes that winning a championship is the ultimate goal in college basketball. Staley, who also had a successful college career but never won a championship, agrees with Stewart’s assessment that a championship is a crucial part of a player’s career legacy.
The argument for Clark as the GOAT in women’s college basketball is supported by her remarkable performance breaking records without five-star teammates like many other championship-winning players. Players like JuJu Watkins, who has also been making a big impact as a freshman at USC, are also raising the bar for the future of the sport. The discussion of whether individual records or championship titles are more important in determining a player’s legacy is ongoing, with the consensus leaning towards the significance of winning a championship.
Stewart’s UConn teammates during her championship runs included numerous WNBA talents, showcasing the depth of talent and strong team dynamic that contributed to their success. The presence of WNBA stars like Moriah Jefferson, Kia Nurse, and A’ja Wilson on Stewart’s teams highlights the multiple pathways from collegiate success to professional success for many players. The impact of winning a championship at the college level can open doors for players to succeed at the professional level, further reinforcing the belief that championships are a critical part of a player’s legacy.
Clark’s individual achievements, including breaking the NCAA Division I women’s basketball scoring record, are incredibly significant in the conversation about her GOAT status. The fact that records can be broken over time adds another layer to the debate about the importance of championships versus records in defining a player’s greatness. The presence of former players like Kelsey Plum, who previously held the scoring record, and current stars like JuJu Watkins who are following in Clark’s footsteps, demonstrates the evolving landscape of women’s college basketball and the increasing level of talent in the sport.
As Clark prepares for her final collegiate game against South Carolina in the 2024 NCAA championship, the pressure to win and solidify her legacy as the GOAT will be at the forefront of the conversation. Whether she can lead Iowa to victory and claim the national championship will have a significant impact on how her career is ultimately viewed in the context of women’s college basketball history. The debate over the importance of winning championships versus setting records will continue to shape the narrative around the greatest players in the sport.
