Caitlin Clark, the standout rookie for the Indiana Fever, made waves long before she entered the WNBA. With a historic college career at the University of Iowa, she shattered records and left an indelible mark on women’s basketball. Despite her impressive achievements, ESPN recently left her out of the top five greatest women’s college basketball players of all time—an omission that has stirred controversy among fans and basketball legends alike.
Clark’s list of accolades is nothing short of extraordinary. She was a two-time AP Player of the Year, a two-time Naismith College Player of the Year, and a four-time first-team USBWA and WBCA All-American. Her dominance extended to the NCAA record books, where she became the all-time leading scorer with 3,951 points and set a single-season scoring record of 1,234 points. Additionally, she led Division I in both scoring and assists multiple times, a feat never accomplished before. Yet, according to ESPN’s criteria, her absence of a national championship title kept her from being ranked among the top five players in college basketball history.
ESPN analyst Ari Chambers explained the reasoning behind the ranking, stating that winning is the defining factor in determining the greatest players. Since Clark did not secure a national championship during her time at Iowa, she was excluded from the top-tier list. This decision, however, did not sit well with many fans who pointed out that her impact on the game and statistical dominance should outweigh a single missing accolade. The debate intensified when ESPN released a video titled “Is Caitlin Clark The Greatest Of All Time In College Basketball?”—a move that critics argue was designed to generate engagement rather than provide a fair assessment.
The controversy reached new heights when WNBA legend Sue Bird voiced her disagreement with ESPN’s ranking. On the “A Touch More” podcast, Bird acknowledged that while Clark didn’t win a national title, her consistent performances in high-stakes games and back-to-back appearances in the national championship should not be overlooked. Bird emphasized that if one were to draft from the best college players in history, Clark would undoubtedly be among the top three selections, further reinforcing her place in the conversation of all-time greats.
Although Clark fell short of a championship, her legacy remains undeniable. She led Iowa to consecutive national title games, facing off against powerhouse teams like South Carolina and LSU. Her ability to perform under pressure and redefine what’s possible in women’s college basketball ensures that her name will be remembered for years to come. Whether or not ESPN revisits its ranking, Clark’s influence on the sport is already cemented, and her journey in the WNBA is just beginning.
