Iowa senior guard Caitlin Clark is the most recognizable face in college basketball right now.
She’s the definition of a superstar.
Fans far and wide have been flocking inside arenas to catch a glimpse of her game-breaking abilities over the past several seasons. They haven’t been disappointed either.
Clark is leading the nation in points and assists per game at 31.8 points and 8.8 assists per game.
Thanks to her gravitational pull, Clark has sent women’s college basketball TV ratings soaring.
The future stars of tomorrow are watching every move that Clark and this Iowa women’s basketball team makes. For the most part, that’s sensational.
Clark has taken legitimate ownership and responsibility of what exactly that means. She’s always made time for her fans over the past several years.
And she’s mindful of the way she carries herself.
In some ways, though, that constant superstardom can be challenging.
Ahead of Iowa’s Sweet 16 date versus Colorado from MVP Arena in Albany, N.Y., on Saturday, Clark was asked what some of the downsides to her superstardom are and what’s been the toughest part.
To illustrate the point, the reporter referenced a moment from last weekend with Clark’s dad, Brent, that went viral on social media. Many jumped to the conclusion that Clark and her dad were yelling at one another mid-game.
“Well, I think the first thing is I was never talking to my dad. I don’t know why people thought that. My dad is my biggest supporter. He’s literally my best friend and he was my first-ever basketball coach and somebody that has always been there.
“People probably think my dad is super competitive because I am, but he’s never been that way. He’s like a chill, constant person in my life that I can always rely on,” Clark said.
Clark expounded on what it’s been like for her in the spotlight over the last two years especially.
“I think it’s kind of been the same story for me over the course of the two years. It’s like I know people are always watching. I know eyeballs are always on me. That’s kind of what happens when you are in the spotlight and it’s not anything you shy away from. I’m competitive. I’m fiery. That’s how it is. And I think that’s what has brought me a lot of success.
“I think at the same time it’s being able to channel that and use it in the best way. Yeah, I mean, my dad is literally one of my biggest supporters, and he honestly hasn’t missed one single college basketball game of mine and for that I’m forever thankful. I think our team has always talked about it. There’s always people watching. There’s always young girls with eyeballs on you, so you want to always be on your best behavior, but also play with that competitive fire and passion that you always have that has brought our team so much success, and I think that’s exactly what we do,” Clark said.
Iowa (31-4, 15-3 Big Ten) tips off against Colorado (24-9, 11-7 Pac-12) at 2:30 p.m. CT on ABC on Saturday in a rematch of last year’s Sweet 16 game that Iowa won, 87-77.
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