the caitlin clark effect 

On April 5, 2024, the University of Connecticut versus University of Iowa 2024 final four game attracted 14.2 million viewers, the highest attendance for any basketball game in ESPN history. To put into perspective, it attracted more viewers than every NBA finals game, and every baseball world series game of the last four years. Whom do we attribute this newfound popularity to?

The excitement and attention that women's college basketball has recently received is largely due to Iowa's record breaking point guard, Caitlin Clark. 

Clark is renowned for her scoring achievements, which include setting the all-time record for women's NCAA Division I scoring with 3,569 career points, among many more. 

On April 15, the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) held its draft. The WNBA is receiving unprecedented attention due to the tremendous popularity of this draft class, which coincides with record-breaking ticket and jersey sales. Clark took her spot as the overall number 1 pick and was drafted to the Indiana Fever. She is expected to make her WNBA debut on May 3. 

The several standout performances of charismatic players like Clark have attracted significant media attention. One of the stars who has helped to create this popularity is Louisiana State University's Angel Reese, who was named the 2023 Final Four's Most Outstanding Player. For the forthcoming WNBA season, the Chicago Sky selected her in the draft. Paige Bueckers is the star player for the University of Connecticut women's team. She won multiple national players-of-the year awards in her rookie season and will continue to play for UConn for her 5th year. 

Their achievements extend off the court as well, as evidenced by their nearly 4 million combined Instagram followers—and NIL deals, college athletes' means of financial compensation through contracts with brands.  Because of their talents and social media presence, Reese and Bueckers are becoming some of the most recognizable names in the face of women's basketball.

Junior Century Girls basketball player Katelyn Brown believes Clark has changed the game from her work ethic on and off the court. “Clark has brought confidence into games and brought standards like her court vision and awareness and team mentality into the league,” Brown stated. Players from Century, like Lauren Ware (2020 graduate) and Logan Nissley (2023 graduate), have also contributed in the girls basketball culture at both the high school at the collegiate level.