Caitlin Clark

[BUSongwriter]

How many of you saw the Iowa/South Carolina game last night in the women's Final Four? It was another jaw-dropping, 41-point performance by Iowa's Caitlin Clark. I'll admit that, until this week, I was unaware of her. But after watching back-to-back amazing games by Clark on the biggest stage, I am in awe and among her growing legion of fans. She is a female Larry Bird or Steph Curry. Her fast-break, on-the-run deep 3-pointers just leave you gasping. She was too much even for an undefeated South Carolina team that outrebounded Iowa 49-25. (Note to the Bradley men's team -- the Iowa women were 14-14 from the free throw line. Step it up, boys!)

Do yourself a favor and tune in to the championship game on Sunday afternoon. Caitlin Clark is something special.

[Bball31]

She is the best outside shooter I've seen all year in men's or women's basketball. Her passing ability and court vision is also second to none.

[Da Coach]

How many of you saw the Iowa/South Carolina game last night in the women's Final Four? It was another jaw-dropping, 41-point performance by Iowa's Caitlin Clark. I'll admit that, until this week, I was unaware of her. But after watching back-to-back amazing games by Clark on the biggest stage, I am in awe and among her growing legion of fans. She is a female Larry Bird or Steph Curry. Her fast-break, on-the-run deep 3-pointers just leave you gasping. She was too much even for an undefeated South Carolina team that outrebounded Iowa 49-25. (Note to the Bradley men's team -- the Iowa women were 14-14 from the free throw line. Step it up, boys!)

Do yourself a favor and tune in to the championship game on Sunday afternoon. Caitlin Clark is something special.

Glad you started this thread BUSongwriter. It was a great game. Caitlin Clark had her second straight 40+ point game. She had 41 points against Louisville in the Elite Eight round, then 41 last night in the semifinal against undefeated defending champs South Carolina, the #1 overall seed. I liked watching her in the postgame interviews. She was giddy with excitement, and acted like a normal college girl. She also credited her coach, her teammates, and the Iowa fans. She is a real, likeable star.

She is only a junior, so she could still possibly play 2 more seasons, her senior year, and the extra Covid year. And she has hinted that despite being the certain Player of the Year and eventual #1 pick in the WNBA, that she plans to return to Iowa next year, and possibly for a 5th year.
She is already making several millions of dollars in NIL money, more than most, if not all WNBA players make in salary playing pro. Good for her...

She was making more than $1 million in NIL money prior to this season, before she signed big deals with Nike and others.
https://www.morningstar.com/news/mar...-march-madness
https://www.hawkcentral.com/story/sp...e/69554902007/

This article lists some of the endorsement deals that she has accumulated this year. Her current NIL value has been estimated around $3 to $4 million, and it's likely to go much higher.
https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa...jk66vqfbmsxnr2

[basketball nut]

Glad you started this thread BUSongwriter. It was a great game. Caitlin Clark had her second straight 40+ point game. She had 41 points against Louisville in the Elite Eight round, then 41 last night in the semifinal against undefeated defending champs South Carolina, the #1 overall seed. I liked watching her in the postgame interviews. She was giddy with excitement, and acted like a normal college girl. She also credited her coach, her teammates, and the Iowa fans. She is a real, likeable star.

She is only a junior, so she could still possibly play 2 more seasons, her senior year, and the extra Covid year. And she has hinted that despite being the certain Player of the Year and eventual #1 pick in the WNBA, that she plans to return to Iowa next year, and possibly for a 5th year.
She is already making several millions of dollars in NIL money, more than most, if not all WNBA players make in salary playing pro. Good for her...

She was making more than $1 million in NIL money prior to this season, before she signed big deals with Nike and others.
https://www.morningstar.com/news/mar...-march-madness
https://www.hawkcentral.com/story/sp...e/69554902007/

This article lists some of the endorsement deals that she has accumulated this year. Her current NIL value has been estimated around $3 to $4 million, and it's likely to go much higher.
https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa...jk66vqfbmsxnr2

After her last couple of games on the national stage she might become the highest wage earner among ladies playing basketball. She may have doubled or even tripled her previous NIL earnings
A truly amazing young lady that is fun to watch

[basketball nut]

I read where the highest paid WNBA player only made $252,000 and the avg is $101,000 with several making less then $10,000.
Clark is already making 4x the highest paid WNBA player so why not stay in college.

[BUfan14]

Incredible shooting stoke, very smooth, like a Steph Curry. Nice handle and finishing touch at the rim too. That shot is quick and smooth enough to play in the men's game I think. Seems like a great person too, as I've seen she does a ton of work with sick children. What a great ambassador for the game and for young kids all over.

Nice to know the Big Ten Women can win something too, as the men have been struggling there!

[Da Coach]

Incredible shooting stoke, very smooth, like a Steph Curry. Nice handle and finishing touch at the rim too. That shot is quick and smooth enough to play in the men's game I think. Seems like a great person too, as I've seen she does a ton of work with sick children. What a great ambassador for the game and for young kids all over.

Nice to know the Big Ten Women can win something too, as the men have been struggling there!

She averages 27.7 ppg, and also leads the country in assists- https://www.espn.com/womens-college-...sists/dir/desc

As great a college player as she is, she's only listed as 6'0" tall, and she's pretty thin and not a physical player. So I am not sure I'd go so far to suggest she could play in the men's game. But she is fun to watch. She used her ball handling skills and quickness to get open shots, including maneuvering around the big, strong South Carolina kids to get a bunch of layups and inside points.

[Classof77]

That was an amazing game. Her shot release on three's is the quickest I've ever seen. She is truly a joy to watch.

The size of SC astounded me. Where do they find so many tall young women? And they're not thin.

i had hopes Clark would enter the portal and come play for Bradley. Our men's team. We need her shooting. But no way we can afford her.

[BUfan14]

She averages 27.7 ppg, and also leads the country in assists- https://www.espn.com/womens-college-...sists/dir/desc

As great a college player as she is, she's only listed as 6'0" tall, and she's pretty thin and not a physical player. So I am not sure I'd go so far to suggest she could play in the men's game. But she is fun to watch. She used her ball handling skills and quickness to get open shots, including maneuvering around the big, strong South Carolina kids to get a bunch of layups and inside points.

Oh no, probably not her whole game, but more her shot is what I was referring too. I think that shot release would play. It is very quick if she was open at all as a spot up shooter.

[BUfan17]

I read where the highest paid WNBA player only made $252,000 and the avg is $101,000 with several making less then $10,000.
Clark is already making 4x the highest paid WNBA player so why not stay in college.

The problem with the WNBA is that not many people are emotionally connected to the teams like they are for college athletics. Without demand and interest player salaries can only get so high, as at the bottom line pro sports are a form of entertainment.

It is easy to root for the local college team or your alma mater, whether it be Men's or Women's. She might as well just be staying in college and keep rolling in the NIL money. Iowa is a big school with quite a large fan base, probably larger than any WNBA team.

[Da Coach]

Maybe with more stars like Caitlin Clark, the WNBA could one day become profitable, and thus pay higher salaries.
This article from a couple months ago cites that NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has said the NBA backed WNBA has never once made a profit in its 26 years of existence. He said the league loses roughly $10 million a year.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketba...on%20in%202017.

[braves16]

Glad you started this thread BUSongwriter. It was a great game. Caitlin Clark had her second straight 40+ point game. She had 41 points against Louisville in the Elite Eight round, then 41 last night in the semifinal against undefeated defending champs South Carolina, the #1 overall seed. I liked watching her in the postgame interviews. She was giddy with excitement, and acted like a normal college girl. She also credited her coach, her teammates, and the Iowa fans. She is a real, likeable star.

She is only a junior, so she could still possibly play 2 more seasons, her senior year, and the extra Covid year. And she has hinted that despite being the certain Player of the Year and eventual #1 pick in the WNBA, that she plans to return to Iowa next year, and possibly for a 5th year.
She is already making several millions of dollars in NIL money, more than most, if not all WNBA players make in salary playing pro. Good for her...

She was making more than $1 million in NIL money prior to this season, before she signed big deals with Nike and others.
https://www.morningstar.com/news/mar...-march-madness
https://www.hawkcentral.com/story/sp...e/69554902007/

This article lists some of the endorsement deals that she has accumulated this year. Her current NIL value has been estimated around $3 to $4 million, and it's likely to go much higher.
https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa...jk66vqfbmsxnr2

She is not eligible for the WNBA draft.
WNBA draft eligibility requirements:
“American-born players have to either have graduated or be on track to graduate the year of the draft to be eligible. They also would be eligible if they turned 22 in the year of the draft or be four years removed from high school and have renounced any remaining NCAA eligibility.”
Why There Is No One And Done For Women’s Basketball

[yoda]

I read where the highest paid WNBA player only made $252,000 and the avg is $101,000 with several making less then $10,000.
Clark is already making 4x the highest paid WNBA player so why not stay in college.

but, whatever the source of her NIL (endorsements, appearances, etc) wouldn't she also get as a pro and then some - plus performance bonues (which are disallowed in NCAA), plus she'd likely be able to negotiate the biggest salary of any WNBA player. plus, she'd be free from the daily restraints of classes and campus obligations to pursue even TV or movie contracts

but she's not draft eligible until 2024, so she could go play overseas a year where they pay up to $1 mil/year or more- https://theathletic.com/3916558/2022...international/
(just don't play in Russia)

[Stryker]

but, whatever the source of her NIL (endorsements, appearances, etc) wouldn't she also get as a pro and then some - plus performance bonues (which are disallowed in NCAA), plus she'd likely be able to negotiate the biggest salary of any WNBA player. plus, she'd be free from the daily restraints of classes and campus obligations to pursue even TV or movie contracts

but she's not draft eligible until 2024, so she could go play overseas a year where they pay up to $1 mil/year or more- https://theathletic.com/3916558/2022...international/
(just don't play in Russia)

Idk, I've only heard of two WNBA players, ever. Candace Parker because she could dunk and I knew who her brother was of course, and Brittany Griner for her Russia issues. I think it is debatable on what is higher profile, University of Iowa and a perennial NCAA title contender, or another good player in the WNBA. I think being in the NCAA might actually be a higher profile, especially if she is already getting shoe deals etc. Instagram/influencer income is also probably greater.

[yoda]

The best player on South Carolina, Aliyah Boston, said many times - including a couple times in interviews just last night -
that she was contemplating returning to South Carolina next year, and that she was going to go home and discuss it with
her family. Then, just a couple hours later, she declared for the WNBA Draft, even tho she's already said to be making several hundred thousand $ in NIL deals.- https://www.espn.com/womens-college-...res-wnba-draft