Breanna Stewart’s ‘wish’ after comments created Caitlin Clark stir

Brianna Stewart said she was a little surprised by the controversy her recent comments about Kaitlyn Clark caused before the former Iowa guard was named the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA draft on Monday.

The current WNBA MVP was asked: previous statementsaid Clark believes she needs an NCAA title to be considered one of the greats in college basketball, speaking at the Team USA Media Summit in New York City on Wednesday. I explained why the topic was a good thing.

“It’s good that people keep talking and creating controversy. Are you surprised? Well, I think you can say yes and no. Because if you think about this question, this question is asked many times by men. Because it’s been repeated over and over again…everyone is arguing in different directions.” Mr Stewart said: Mentioning the GOAT controversy involving Michael Jordan and LeBron James.

“One thing I hope is that in women’s sports, I feel like people only want one person to succeed. This sport is so huge that we all continue to grow together. Because I don’t think they do that on the men’s side…We have to expand a little bit with all the players that we’re dealing with, and that’s figuring out who’s who. It’s about each player’s personality and the story behind their basketball career.”

Clark, an All-American point guard, led the Hawkeyes to the NCAA Championship in back-to-back seasons in 2023 and 2024, falling short of LSU and South Carolina, respectively.

Stewart led the university to four NCAA titles during his tenure from 2012 to 2016 and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four four times.

The Liberty star, who was the No. 1 pick in 2016, explained what challenges Clark and the incoming rookie class will face at the pro level.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing what (Clark) does at the W,” Stewart said. “The hardest thing for her and her other rookies is to stay current, because she’s been running nonstop this year, and that’s what I remember as well.

“I went through the entire preseason, the entire college season, the entire NCAA Tournament, and now I’m going to start all over again and play the most games in the shortest amount of time I’ve ever played in my life.”

Stewart also praised Clark, the all-time NCAA Division I leading scorer for both men and women, for her role in growing the women’s game at the collegiate level and is excited to see that continue into the league. Stated.

“I think it’s amazing. The momentum behind women’s college basketball, March Madness, obviously Kaitlyn and what she’s accomplished so far and all the records she’s breaking and that carries over into draft night. Someone said this to me before, and I think he hit it perfectly, “We’re not talking about momentum anymore.” We’re talking about things like maintaining. . And that’s the way it should be,” Stewart said. “College basketball is over…look at the WNBA. The WNBA is going to pause and watch the Olympics.”

A record 2.45 million viewers tuned into the 2024 WNBA Draft on ESPN on Monday to watch the Fever select Clark with the No. 1 pick.

2 days later The Athletic’s Shams Charania It has been reported that Clark is close to an eight-figure sponsorship deal with Nike. This includes a signature shoe contract.

The 22-year-old from Iowa has also received “significant offers” from Under Armor and Adidas, industry sources told The Athletic.