College Women’s Basketball Adapts to Changing Landscape

In recent years, Caitlin Clark, among other now-famous names, have transformed NCAA Women’s Basketball. 

Clark, a former University of Iowa point guard, shattered many records in her time with the Hawkeyes. Her most notable stat was likely becoming the all-time leading scorer in the NCAA, breaking Kelsey Plum’s record. The “Caitlin Clark effect” has been attributed to the increasing crowd sizes and overall hype around women’s basketball at all levels. 

Northwest High School Sophomore and Girls Basketball Player, Romey Croatt, said, “She has inspired me to want to change the game, and play the game in a way that hasn’t been done before.”

Clark led Iowa to two national championship games, before moving onto the WNBA. She was selected by the Indiana Fever as the first pick at the 2024 WNBA Draft. Along with standout Clark, NCAA Women’s Basketball had other great players in this class, such as Kate Martin and Kamilla Cardoso, who also recently joined the WNBA. 

Angel Reese, often viewed as Clark’s ‘rival’, has also moved onto the WNBA. The duo faced each other multiple times during their college careers, including a matchup in the 2022-23 national championship game. Reese’s LSU defeated Iowa in a tense competition. Following the game, Reese repeatedly pointed to her ring finger in a gesture directed at Clark. 

The next postseason, they played each other yet again. Iowa won that time, sinking LSU’s hopes of winning two national championships back to back. Des Moines Channel 13 Sports Director, Keith Murphy, said, “That game felt like unfinished business for the Hawkeyes. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen them more satisfied with a win than that game.”

As this class of players moves on with the next steps in their careers, it has caused people to wonder what comes next for NCAA College Women’s Basketball. This season the Iowa Hawkeyes have started off well with a 9-1 record, despite not having Clark and former head coach Lisa Bluder.  

New college players are coming up, including another Iowa native Audi Crooks playing for the Iowa State Cyclones. More promising young names such as Juju Watkins and Hannah Hidalgo will look to develop and grow this year, and UConn Veteran Paige Bueckers will be hoping to lead the Huskies all the way. 

Former Iowa State All-American player Lyndsey Fennley stated, “I think Caitlin attracted a lot of people to the game of Women’s Basketball, and they aren’t leaving. She has been transformational to the sport and I hope she can continue to be.”

NCAA College Women’s Basketball will hope that the high interest generated by these superstars can be sustained, and that future players can continue to grow the game.