– Fox Sports ranked Caitlin Clark as the #2 all-time women’s college basketball player, behind Breanna Stewart, sparking debate among fans.
– Clark’s stats include 3,951 career points, breaking NCAA records, and averaging 28.4 points per game, with significant impact on game popularity.
– Stewart led UConn to four straight titles, but Clark’s all-around play and influence suggest she should be #1.
– Fox Sports’ list is criticized for disrespecting Clark, while it’s seen as better than ESPN’s, which some say is biased.
The Fox Sports Ranking
Fox Sports recently released a list ranking the top 10 all-time women’s college basketball players, placing Breanna Stewart at #1 and Caitlin Clark at #2. This ranking has stirred controversy, especially given Clark’s record-breaking career. Stewart’s achievements include leading UConn to four consecutive national championships from 2013 to 2016 and earning Most Outstanding Player honors in each title game, alongside three Player of the Year awards and leading the nation in blocks her senior year.
Caitlin Clark’s Case for #1
Caitlin Clark’s college career at Iowa was historic, with 3,951 career points, making her the all-time leading scorer in NCAA basketball, surpassing Pete Maravich’s record. She broke Kelsey Plum’s record for women’s NCAA Division I scoring and passed Lynette Woodard for the major college scoring record. Clark averaged 31.6 points per game in her final season and 28.4 over her career, with 537 career 3-pointers. Beyond scoring, she averaged 7.1 rebounds, 8.9 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game in her senior year, showcasing her all-around game. Her influence, known as the “Caitlin Clark effect,” boosted attendance and viewership, with the 2023 championship game drawing 9.9 million viewers and a preseason game setting an attendance record of 55,646 fans.
Comparing Stewart and Clark
While Stewart’s four titles and stats (2,676 points, 1,179 rebounds, 414 blocks) are impressive, Clark’s higher scoring (28.4 vs. 19.5 points per game), playmaking (8.9 vs. 2.9 assists per game), and broader impact argue for her superiority. Clark’s ability to score from deep, create for others, and lead in clutch moments, like her 41-point Elite Eight game, contrasts with Stewart’s more under-the-basket dominance.
Criticism and Context
Fox Sports’ decision to rank Clark second is seen as disrespectful, given her transformative influence. Some fans argue their list is better than ESPN’s, which is criticized for bias.
The ranking places Breanna Stewart at the top, citing her leadership in UConn’s four consecutive national championships and her individual accolades, including being named Most Outstanding Player in all four title games and winning the Player of the Year award three times. Her senior year saw her lead the nation with 3.4 blocks per game, highlighting her defensive prowess.
Caitlin Clark’s Statistical Dominance
Caitlin Clark’s college career at Iowa, spanning 2021 to 2024, is marked by unprecedented statistical achievements. She amassed 3,951 career points, becoming the all-time leading scorer in NCAA basketball, surpassing Pete Maravich’s 3,667 points. She also broke Kelsey Plum’s record to become the all-time women’s NCAA Division I scoring leader and passed Lynette Woodard for the major college scoring record.
Clark’s scoring average was 31.6 points per game in her final season and 28.4 over her career, with 537 career 3-pointers, far exceeding Stewart’s 102.
Beyond scoring, she averaged 7.1 rebounds, 8.9 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game in her senior year, demonstrating her all-around game. Her career-high 15 assists in a single game.
Clark’s impact on game popularity, known as the “Caitlin Clark effect,” is significant. The 2023 national championship game, where Iowa played, drew 9.9 million viewers, the most-viewed women’s college basketball game in history.
Her senior season saw Iowa set a women’s basketball attendance record with 55,646 fans at a preseason exhibition game.
Breanna Stewart’s Achievements
Breanna Stewart’s college career at UConn from 2012 to 2016 is equally notable. She led the Huskies to four consecutive national championships, earning Most Outstanding Player honors each time.
She won the Player of the Year award three times and finished with 2,676 points, 1,179 rebounds, and 414 blocks, making her the only player in NCAA history with 400+ blocks and 400+ assists. Her senior year saw her lead the nation with 3.4 blocks per game, highlighting her defensive impact.
Comparative Analysis
While Stewart’s championship pedigree is impressive, Clark’s statistical dominance and broader impact argue for her superiority. Clark’s scoring average (28.4 vs. Stewart’s 19.5 points per game) and 3-point shooting (537 vs. 102) showcase her offensive versatility. Her assist average (8.9 vs. Stewart’s 2.9) highlights her playmaking, making her a more complete floor general. Clark’s ability to score from deep, create for others, and lead in clutch moments, such as her 41-point Elite Eight performance against Louisville, contrasts with Stewart’s more under-the-basket dominance, as noted in various game analyses.
Clark’s transformative influence, driving record viewership and attendance, sets her apart. While Stewart was a star, Clark’s “Caitlin Clark effect” has been credited with elevating women’s basketball’s profile, a factor Fox Sports may have undervalued in their ranking.
Criticism of Fox Sports and Comparison with ESPN
Fox Sports’ decision to rank Clark second has sparked debate, with many fans and analysts, arguing it disrespects her legacy. Critics argue that Fox Sports overemphasized team success (Stewart’s titles) over individual impact, which Clark’s stats and popularity clearly demonstrate.
