Even though she coaches for Oklahoma, Sooners head women’s basketball coach Jennie Baranczyk couldn’t help but pull for Caitlin Clark at her alma mater Iowa.
Clark’s impact across women’s basketball, and women’s college athletics as a whole, was immense. She drew historic television audiences, not just in women’s hoops, but ratings numbers that trumped even the men’s title game and the NBA Finals last season. She’s now famous to the point that 99% of American citizens would recognize the name “Caitlin Clark.”
However, Baranczyk has a unique experience getting to enjoy Clark’s rise as an Iowa graduate and Hawkeye supporter, but also as someone who’s impacted by the rise in profile Clark brought to the women’s game as a whole.
“You know, it’s really interesting, because I’m so entrenched in it. I’ve gotten to watch Caitlin from when she was really little to be able to grow,” Baranczyk shared on Clark when asked about her at an offseason press conference.
“So, you have that personal connection of being able to watch her elevate the game. You watch your alma mater go to national championships, you get to see that,” she continued.
What’s even cooler is getting to see that player eclipse the popularity of pretty much any star in the history of women’s college hoops.
“So, you’re really proud that you’re watching Caitlin become a household name, not just for people that are in women’s basketball or from the state of Iowa. I mean, she’s really been able to elevate.”
Jennie Baranczyk also likes to see that even with an elevation in level, to the WNBA, Clark remains the type of personality that teammates tend to praise.
“I mean, look at what she’s already doing from the WNBA perspective. It’s pretty amazing what she’s been able to do, and then it’s also been amazing to be able to see those women that are playing with her in the WNBA right now talk so highly of her as she has come into a space. So that’s the stuff that makes you proud. It’s not just her ability, but it’s the way that she carries herself.”
There’s never been a shadow of a doubt that Caitlin Clark carries herself like the superstar she is on the basketball court. Just a few games into her WNBA career, Clark hasn’t taken over the league quite yet, but she looks the part of a player who one day could.
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