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Caitlin Clark - THE GOAT

Craig Shipp • July 1, 2024

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Caitlin Clark may just be the greatest basketball player EVER! She is often referred to as a phenom or GOAT.

Why Caitlin Clark Might Be the Best Basketball Player Ever

Caitlin Clark has captivated the basketball world with her extraordinary talent, on-court leadership, and record-breaking performances. As she continues to carve out her place in the history of the sport, many argue that she might be the best basketball player ever. Here are several compelling reasons why Caitlin Clark deserves this accolade.

Unparalleled Scoring Ability - Caitlin Clark's scoring prowess is nothing short of legendary. She consistently delivers high-scoring games, often surpassing the 30-point mark with ease. Her ability to score from anywhere on the court—whether it's a deep three-pointer, a mid-range jumper, or a drive to the basket—makes her an offensive juggernaut. Her scoring averages and efficiency are comparable to the greatest in the sport, male or female, and she shows no signs of slowing down.

Exceptional Playmaking - Clark is not just a scorer; she is also an elite playmaker. Her court vision and passing ability are remarkable, allowing her to create scoring opportunities for her teammates. She routinely records high assist numbers, demonstrating her unselfishness and understanding of the game. This dual threat of scoring and playmaking makes her an invaluable asset to any team she plays for.

Record-Breaking Performances - Throughout her career, Clark has shattered numerous records. From single-game scoring records to season-long achievements, her name is frequently etched in the history books. Her performances in critical games and tournaments further solidify her status as a clutch player who rises to the occasion when it matters most.

Leadership and Poise - Clark's leadership qualities set her apart from many other great players. She leads by example, demonstrating resilience, determination, and a relentless work ethic. Her poise under pressure and ability to inspire her teammates have been crucial to her team's successes. Whether it's a close game or a championship run, Clark's leadership is a driving force behind her team's performance.

Versatility and Athleticism - Caitlin Clark's versatility and athleticism are integral to her dominance on the court. She excels in multiple facets of the game, from defense to rebounding, showcasing her well-rounded skill set. Her agility, speed, and strength allow her to guard multiple positions and contribute significantly on both ends of the floor.

Impact on the Game - Clark's impact extends beyond her statistical achievements. She has become a role model and an inspiration for young athletes, particularly girls aspiring to play basketball. Her influence on the sport is profound, as she continues to push the boundaries of what is possible and elevate the game's popularity.

Comparisons to Legends - When comparing Clark to basketball legends, her stats, achievements, and influence stand out. Her ability to dominate games, break records, and lead her team to victories parallels the greatest players in basketball history. While every era has its stars, Clark's combination of skill, versatility, and impact places her in a unique position among the all-time greats. Experts have call Clark a cross between Larry Bird and Seth Curry with the marketing power of Michael Jordan.

Conclusion - Caitlin Clark's extraordinary talent, record-breaking performances, and leadership qualities make a compelling case for her being the best basketball player ever. Her ability to score, make plays, and inspire her team is unmatched, and her influence on the game is undeniable. As she continues to redefine excellence in basketball, it becomes increasingly difficult to argue against her place at the pinnacle of the sport.

Record breaking rookie year!

Although I list a large number of records below that Caitlin has broken in her rookie year this is not all of them.

On Saturday July 6, 2024 - Caitlin Clark scored the FIRST triple double for a rookie in WNBA history. She did so while playing and beating the number one team in the league. Final score Indiana 83 and New York 78. CC had 19 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds.

See screenshot below:

Caitlin did it again on September 4, 2024! 24 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds and she won 93 to 86! See below! Plus Caitlin is now the youngest player in WNBA history to record multiple triple-doubles. Shout out to Ben Daniel - https://x.com/TheBenDanielPod

THE MOMENT CAITLIN CLARK MADE HISTORY ⭐️ @HighlightHER

19 PTS
12 REB
13 AST

HISTORIC game for the rookie.

(via @IndianaFever ) pic.twitter.com/YVBX2U9Rcm
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 6, 2024

On July 10, 2024 Caitlin Clark became the only player in WNBA history as well as NBA history to ever have 25+ points, 10+ assists, 5+ rebounds and 5+ three pointers in a single game. Her stats for that game: 29 points, 13 assists, 5 rebounds, 5 three pointers, 5 steels, and 3 blocks.

See screenshot below and video below:

Caitlin Clark is the first @WNBA player ever to have 25+ points, 10+ assists, 5+ rebounds, 5+ steals, and 5+ three-pointers in a game 👀 pic.twitter.com/8S5DwBZ4al
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) July 10, 2024

July 12, 2024 - Caitlin Clark set a franchise record for 7 assists in a single quarter in the WNBA.

July 17, 2024 - Caitlin Clark broke the WNBA record for most assists in a single game at 19. The previous record was 16. The same game she scored or assisted on 66 points which is another WNBA record.

Also for the month of July, 2024 Caitlin averaged 12.5 assists per game. This is yet another WNBA record!

To cap off July Caitlin's WNBA all star team beat the USA olympic team. The team that left her off the roster. In the process CC broke the record for assists by a rookie. She had 10 assists.

August 26, 2024 - the Fever posted on X that Caitlin achieved yet another WNBA record. She has had 21 games with 15+ points and 5+ assists so far in the season. The most for any player. See: https://x.com/IndianaFever/status/1828273420150120798

August 28, 2024 - Caitlin played the Connecticut Sun team and became the first player in WNBA history to have six consecutive games of 15+ points, 5+ assists and 5+ rebounds. Also, Caitlin Clark is the first player in WNBA history to have a season recording: 500+ PTS, 250+ AST, 75+ 3PM - Caitlin Clark is also the fastest player in WNBA history to record 500+ PTS & 250+ AST.

August 30, 2024 - Caitlin became the first player in WNBA history to:

1) Record 31 points, 12 assists and 5 three point shots in one game. She also had 4 rebounds in the game.

2) As of this game she also has 5 games with 20+ points and 10+ assists which is another WNBA first.

3) Also, Clark is scoring or assisting on 36.7 points per game, the highest season average in WNBA history.

4) She is the first player in WNBA history to have multiple games with 25+ points, 10+ assists and 5+ three point shots made.

5) She also just recorded the first 30 point plus 12 assist game in WNBA history.

Note: She beat the Chicago Sky 100 to 81 in this game.

Sept 1, 2024 - Caitlin Clark is the first rookie in NBA/WNBA history to have consecutive games with: 25+ PTS, 10+ AST and 5+ 3PM. Also, this date, Caitlin now has the most double-doubles by a guard in a single season in WNBA history. As of September 1, 2024 Caitlin is the only player ever with 28 points and 12 assists in a game and she has done it three times!

Sept 4, 2024 - Caitlin Clark is the first player in WNBA history to have a season recording: 200+ AST; 100+ 3PM - Caitlin Clark is the fastest player in WNBA history to record 100 three-pointers made.

Also 9/4/2024 in the stats below notice how many games played:

Most career games with 20 PTS & 10 AST:

10 — Courtney Vandersloot (422 GP)

9 — Diana Taurasi (559 GP)

7 — Caitlin Clark (34 GP)

Sept 7, 2024 - Caitlin has the most games with 20+ points, 5+ assists and 5+ rebounds in a season in WNBA history and the season has many games yet to be played!

Sept 8, 2024 - Caitlin is the first player in WNBA history to be top ten in points while being the outright leader in assists. Also, Caitlin Clark has tied the WNBA record for most career games with 25 PTS & 10 AST.

The only trios in WNBA history to each record 20+ PTS in consecutive games:

• Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell

• A'ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum

• A'ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young

Caitlin is the fastest player in WNBA history to record 300 career assists.

Caitlin now has the most rebounds by a rookie guard in WNBA history. She also has the 4th most rebounds in a single season by a guard, regardless of the year of their career and she has more games to play!

September 13 - Caitlin Clark now has 726 PTS. No other rookie has even scored 500 this season.

Most 15/5/5 games by a rookie:

22 — Caitlin Clark

8 — Tamika Catchings

7 — Candace Parker

7 — Andrea Stinson

6 — Diana Taurasi

Caitlin Clark now has the most assists in a single season in WNBA history - 321 assists as of 9/13/2024 with games left to play.

September 15, 2024 - Caitlin 35 PTS (career-high), 8 AST, 6 3PM & 3 STL - First player in WNBA history to reach these numbers in a single game. Caitlin Clark All-Time Rookie Ranks: 1st in Points, 1st in Assists, 1st in 3PT

September 19, 2024 - Caitlin Clark is the first player in WNBA history to lead the league in AST & 3PM. (2024 season - her rookie year!) The only NBA player to accomplish this was Gary Payton in 2000.

Caitlin also has the most assists in a season at 329 again in her rookie year! She broke the previous record (310) by 19.

September 25, 2024 - Caitlin in her second and last playoff game of the 2024 season had: 25 PTS, 6 REB and 9 AST - The last rookie in NBA/WNBA playoff history to reach these numbers was Magic Johnson (1980). Caitlin Clark is the first rookie in WNBA history to record 25+ pts, 7+ assists in a playoff game.

Is Caitlin Clark Supergirl? e .g. Caitlin Clark Kent!

The video below breaks down why Caitlin Clark is the best basketball player EVER!

The video below makes a great case for Caitlin being the best basketball player ever. However the point that many of the new fans are also interested in other WNBA players is false. In fact, the new fans are there to see Caitlin play. Not the other WNBA players. The stats show this. Maybe if the WNBA cleans up its act and gets more players that are close to Caitlin's level this will change. Also, to be taken seriously the WNBA needs to stop being an activist league and focus on quality basketball. The vast majority of flagrant fouls in the 2024 season were against Caitlin. Clearly many of the WNBA players were trying to hurt her. They have also made many comments attacking Caitlin and her fans. They are clearly jealous of Caitlin and her skills. Not to mention the attention she is bringing to women's basketball. The league needs to put an end to this behavior and clean up the play on the court and the actions off of the court. The management and the players need to be as professional as Caitlin herself. Then the league can soar to new heights.

a masterclass presented by Caitlin Clark 📽️

a new @WNBA record, watch all 1⃣9⃣ assists here. pic.twitter.com/ufKPit3Xpw
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) July 18, 2024

A great explanation below as to why Caitlin Clark is the best player in the WNBA.

56,000 fans! In video below Caitlin Clark played in a football stadium in front of 56,000 fans and scored a triple double. Her stats were 34 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists and 3 steals. Also see: https://stories.uiowa.edu/crossover-at-kinnick-record-setting-crowd

Other amazing records Caitlin Clark holds (college):

Senior Year (2023-24):

Broke Big Ten all-time scoring record
Broke Iowa's single-game scoring record
Set Big Ten career record for 3-pointers
Became all-time NCAA Division I men's and women's scoring leader
Achieved most three-pointers in a single season by any male or female Division I player
Passed Temeka Johnson for the most career assists in NCAA tournament history
Passed Diana Taurasi for the most career 3-pt FG in NCAA tournament history
Tied Courtney Moses for the most threes in a game in NCAA tournament history
Became first player in NCAA tournament history with 3 career 40-point games
Passed Taylor Robertson for most career 3-pt FG in Division I history
Achieved the most points in a single quarter of an NCAA championship game
Passed Chamique Holdsclaw for the most career NCAA tournament points

Junior year (2022-23):

Became Big Ten career leader in triple-doubles
Achieved first triple-double in Big Ten tournament final
Became first player in men's or women's NCAA tournament history to record a 30- or 40-point triple-double
Made most 3-pointers by a men's or women's player in NCAA title game history
Broke men's and women's scoring records for single NCAA tournament
Achieved most assists by single women's player in NCAA tournament history
Became fastest Big Ten player to reach 1,000 points

Sophomore year (2021-22):

Became fastest Big Ten player to reach 1,000 points
Became first Division I men's or women's player to record consecutive triple-doubles with at least 30 points
Became first woman in Big Ten history with consecutive triple-doubles
Achieved 18 assists in one game, which set program and tied conference single-game records
Became first back-to-back recipient of Dawn Staley Award
Became first woman to lead Division I in points and assists per game in a single season
Led Division I in points, free throws and triple-doubles

Freshman year (2020-21):

Broke single-game scoring record for Pinnacle Bank Arena
Achieved Big Ten tournament assists record
Broke Big Ten single-game records for points and 3-pointers
First freshman to win Dawn Staley Award
Led NCAA Division I in scoring
Set Iowa program freshman records for points and assists

See full list at: https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/39626372/what-records-does-caitlin-clark-hold-iowa-ncaa-honors-know

July 11, 2024 - Caitlin Clark becomes first woman EVER to win EPSY for Best Record-Breaking Performance

See videos below for proof of Caitlin Clark's skills:

The video montage below shows Caitlin's great passing, shooting and defence:

Check out the video to hear from some CC fans:

See photos at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/areaguides/albums/72177720319967111/

See: https://twitter.com/CaitlinClark22

Haters gonna hate!

WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes is just one example of the hate that Caitlin has had to deal with coming into the WNBA. Diana Taurasi also had some words for Caitlin. Clearly these players don't like all their records being broken! See videos below: