Caitlin Clark’s collegiate journey concluded with a surge of emotions as South Carolina, the undefeated champions, triumphed over the Iowa Hawkeyes by a margin of 12 points, securing the coveted title.

Throughout her time on the court, Clark continually set new standards and shattered existing records. Despite her numerous accolades, Clark often found herself overshadowed in the ongoing debate about the Greatest of All Time (G.O.A.T). While the head coach of the Gamecocks shifted her stance on this debate, American sports analyst Chris Broussard remained hesitant to grant the 22-year-old phenom the ultimate accolade.

During the recent episode of the popular talk show ‘First Things First,’ Chris Broussard joined forces with esteemed sports figures Nick Wright and Kevin Wildes. The trio delved into the remarkable achievement of college basketball sensation Caitlin Clark, who amassed an impressive 30 points in two consecutive championship games. When prompted, Broussard deliberated on whether Clark’s inability to secure the championship title would warrant her exclusion from the G.O.A.T conversation.

Broussard said, “She’s on the periphery because of what she’s accomplished, the impact on the game, but she’s not the G.O.A.T… You’re in the conversation without a (championship) ring”.

He used the example of former NFL quarterback Dan Marino to justify his opinion. He highlighted how many people have referred to Marino as one of the best NFL players to walk the green field but “scoff” at the idea of calling him a ‘G.O.A.T’ since he doesn’t have a single Super Bowl title to his name.
Conversely, Clark boasts numerous achievements under her belt. She holds the distinction of being the top scorer in NCAA history for both men’s and women’s basketball. In 2022, she showcased her prowess by notching 30-point triple-doubles, a groundbreaking accomplishment never before seen in Division I basketball.

During that same year, Clark etched her name in the annals of NCAA history by surpassing Sheryl Swoopes’ record for the most points scored in an NCAA tournament, tallying an impressive 191 points. In 2023, she continued to redefine expectations by delivering the inaugural 40-point triple-double in an NCAA tournament and solidifying her status as the first Division I player to amass over 900 points and 300 assists in a single season.

Despite these remarkable feats, Clark’s absence of a championship title remains a conspicuous gap in her resume, a factor pivotal in assessing her standing in the ongoing discourse.

Broussard further stated, “She’s not the G.O.A.T. I can’t, I got to be fair with what we usually judge by… I think your accomplishments have to support a G.O.A.T argument…”

However, Broussard did not take Clark completely off the conversation but said she “can be in the conversation because of the impact” she’s had on the game. Just like Clark, many other women basketball players in the past had glorious records to their names but failed to win a championship.

Lynette Woodard cemented her legacy as the leading scorer in the history of women’s college basketball, amassing an impressive 3,649 points during her tenure at the University of Kansas. Conversely, the head coach of the Gamecocks concluded her collegiate career with a commendable 2,135 points.

Dawn Staley garnered the National Player of the Year award for consecutive years (1991 and ’92) and showcased exceptional leadership during her three-year tenure with the Cavaliers, experiencing minimal losses. However, the absence of a championship title did little to diminish her reputation.

Another prominent figure in basketball, Sabrina Ionescu, garnered widespread recognition for her remarkable triple-doubles and awe-inspiring long-range shots. She made history as the first NCAA player to achieve 8 triple-doubles in a single season for two consecutive years (2018 to 2020) and held the record for the most triple-doubles in NCAA history, with an impressive tally of 26.

Chris Broussard’s recent stance regarding the Hawkeyes star isn’t unprecedented. Just a fortnight ago, the 55-year-old sparked controversy by asserting that Clark lacked the ability to compete at the same level as other NBA players.
He stated that Clark “could play with the old guys that aren’t in shape and they just play around, but young guys that play ball for a living, professionals, no”.

The 22-year-old sensation was quick to react and send out a message to those who said she was not a G.O.A.T.

After having a record-breaking legacy in her college career and breaking Stephen Curry’s record (162) for most three-pointers in a single NCAA Division-I season, she thought it was not the numbers she scored that was important but the impact she made and her ability to inspire the younger generation.

She further added, “When you’re in the spotlight like this there’s gonna be a million different opinions on you. And for as many people that are going to love you, there’s going to be people that don’t.”

Caitlin Clark expressed her sentiment that being solely evaluated based on the final 40 minutes of her collegiate basketball journey seemed unjust, and she emphasized the importance of avoiding undue self-criticism. She elaborated, stating, “…And I believe that throughout my career, my primary focus has been on the opinions of those within our team’s inner circle. That’s where my genuine concern lies—the individuals whom I deeply cherish, who have unwaveringly supported me every step of the way…” While Clark may not garner support from sports pundits, she finds solace in the endorsement of former WNBA icon Dawn Staley.
You are not a ‘G.O.A.T.’ if you don’t bring home a championship
Dawn Staley led the Gamecocks to their third NCAA women’s basketball championship in 16 seasons, elevating them to their current level. The South Carolina HC appreciated Caitlin Clark for “lifting up” the sport of women’s basketball.

She congratulated Iowa for their performance and further said, “I want to personally thank Caitlin Clark… She carried a heavy load for our sport, and it’s just not gonna stop here on a collegiate tour but when she’s the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft, she’s gonna lift that league up as well…”

The 53-year-old did not shy away from bestowing the title that Chris Broussard had denied her Staley further added, “So, Caitlin Clark, if you’re out there, you are one of the G.O.A.T’s of our game and we appreciate you.”

Clark was quick to respond to Staley’s appreciation in her post-game interview. She said, “Anytime somebody like coach Staley is able to recognize you and what you’ve done for the game is pretty special. Honestly, she’s somebody I respect so much. I respect what she’s done for South Carolina, I respect what she did as a player for our game.”

However, not so long ago, Dawn Staley was once in the same boat as Caitlin Clark.

Having gone through an illustrious WNBA career, she knows how people would hesitate to bestow the G.O.A.T. title on you if you didn’t bring home the championship ring.

Recalling her days as a player for Virginia (1988-1992), she said, “I was really good in college, never won a championship… You’ve got to win a championship. That’s me, personally. Like I had a great career. But it’s always, Did you win a championship?”

Though Clark holds one of the finest records in college basketball, her being considered as G.O.A.T. is having several debates.