Clark scored 30 points in the national title loss but faced tough criticism along the way
Golf influencer Paige Spiranac came to the defense of Iowa sharpshooter Caitlin Clark on Sunday as the Hawkeyes fell to South Carolina in the national championship.
Clark faced criticism from WNBA legends Diana Taurasi and Sheryl Swoopes, former UConn star Breanna Stewart and Hall of Famer Lynette Woodard all within the span of a few months as she pursued the all-time scoring mark and a shot at the national title.
Paige Spiranac watches her shot during the Kaulig Companies Championship Pro-Am at Firestone Country Club, July 12, 2023, in Akron, Ohio. (Jeff Lange/USA Today Network)
Spiranac, who is also the target of criticism on social, wrote that the “hate” toward Clark was unsurprising.
“The hate towards Caitlin Clark from current and former players is disappointing but not surprising,” she wrote on X. “Women can be absolutely vicious to other women while also preaching empowering the next generation. I’ve seen it first hand but we must remember a rising tide lifts all boats.”
Clark has been unconcerned with the criticism lobbed toward her and it hasn’t stopped her performance on the floor.
Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark drives to the basket as South Carolina Gamecocks guard Bree Hall defends during the NCAA Tournament championship game at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, Sunday, April 7, 2024, in Cleveland. (Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register/USA Today Network)
She scored 30 points in the loss against the Gamecocks.
“It’s certainly been a special year,” Clark said. “To be honest, after last year I was kind of, like, ‘How do we top doing what we did last year?’ Somehow, some way, every single person in our locker room believed. To be honest, this year was probably more special than last year.”
The next step for Clark is the WNBA.
Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark takes questions after the NCAA Tournament championship game at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, Sunday, April 7, 2024, in Cleveland. (Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register/USA Today Network)
She’s expected to be the No. 1 pick of the April 15 draft – a spot held by the Indiana Fever. The team already selected Aliyah Boston with the top pick last year out of South Carolina.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
News
Sex Matters: Why Transgender Athletes Must Not Compete Against Biological Females
Sex Matters: Why Transgender Athletes Must Not Compete Against Biological Females With the news that Lia Thomas is seeking to overturn the ruling of World Aquatics regarding the participation of transgender women in women’s sports, we rerun this piece from…
Meghan Markle sparked Rory McIlroy romance rumours after ‘unexpected’ challenge and cosy dinner
Meghan Markle recently gushed about how happy she is with husband Prince Harry and their two children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. But long before she found happiness with her prince, the Duchess of Sussex was linked to several men after the breakdown of her first…
Denise Welch SLAPPED with hundreds of Ofcom complaints after SPARKING FURY with Meghan Markle row
Denise Welch has been slapped with hundreds of Ofcom complaints after sparking fury with a Meghan Markle row on a recent episode of Loose Women. The outspoken presenter, 65, got caught up in a fiery debate about Prince Harry and Meghan recently, with her…
Watch The Shocking Moment Taylor Swift And Lisa Kudrow Perform Friends Hit “Smelly Cat”
SHARE Taylor Swift and Lisa Kudrow’s Unexpected Duet at the 1989 World Tour Celebrity collaborations on stage are always exciting, and Taylor Swift’s 1989 World Tour at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles on August 26th, 2015, was no exception….
‘A true miracle’: A 6-month-old baby starts singing inside a church. Everybody enjoyed it
People in a nearby church were treated to a spectacular and surprising event when a five-month-old baby started singing on the spot, touching everyone’s hearts. People were shocked when, during a normal Sunday service, the baby, who was being…
Great dance and contortion moves from the ADEM show on America’s Got Talent
In 2019, ADEM Show took the stage of America’s Got Talent, where they were met with a huge task. Simon Cowell was not happy. Even more grumpy than normal. At the start of the video, you can see that…
End of content
No more pages to load