Like countless basketball fans around the world, LeBron James is watching both men’s and women’s college basketball tournaments and it’s hard not to see the influence of Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and many other women.
The women’s college basketball game has seen a meteoric rise over the last year and Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark is a huge reason for that. It’s not just her but JuJu Watkins at USC, Angel Reese at LSU, and Paige Bueckers at UConn have also become compelling athletes to root for and get behind.
LeBron James provided his beliefs about the reasoning that the women’s game has surpassed the men’s game.
“I think the popularity comes in is the icons they have in the women’s game,” LeBron said.
“You look at Angel Reese, you look at JuJu (Watkins), you look at Caitlin Clark, you look Paige (Bueckers), you look at the young girl that’s at Iowa State, the freshman there (Audi Crooks), Brink at Stanford, and that’s just to name a few – the freshmen that’s at Notre Dame.
Because they’re not allowed to go to the WNBA…you’re able to build a real iconic legacy at a program and that’s what we all love about it.
“That’s what makes the Final Four and Elite Eight so great. Iowa was a great team but Caitlin Clark was the reason we tuned in…Players, depending on who they are, will drive the attention when it comes to viewership.”
LeBron James’ postgame press conference on the Lakers’ win over the Wizards, the road trip and women’s college basketball pic.twitter.com/5RfM5W78eb
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) April 4, 2024
His comments on the women’s game were important and Caitlin Clark was asked about what the Los Angeles Lakers had to see about them and her.
“Honestly, I’ve never talked to LeBron directly, but obviously, I’ve seen he’s commented about myself, and I just saw this morning that he talked about women’s basketball in general and how good the game is and the stars in our game,” Clark said, per Cleveland.com’s Hayden Grove.
“He knows what he’s talking about, he pays attention, he supports the game, he doesn’t just talk about it. He really shows up and supports it, and I think that’s the coolest thing.
One of the greatest players of all-time helping to support and grow women’s basketball. That’s exactly what we need.”
Caitlin Clark said she’s never met LeBron James, but she appreciates his support of the sport and of her.
Said it’s cool to be in Cleveland, where @KingJames started his career.#FinalFour pic.twitter.com/JrGV74x47B
— Hayden Grove (@H_Grove) April 4, 2024
Clark, whose Iowa Hawkeyes defeated the LSU Tigers in the Elite 8 in a rematch from last year in the NCAA Championship game is getting set for another mega matchup when the team takes on the UConn Huskies on Friday night in the Final Four.
James would love to watch Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers go head to head in Cleveland, but unfortunately for him, it doesn’t work for his schedule. The Lakers host back-to-back games, against the Cavs and the Timberwolves, on Saturday and Sunday.
Caitlin Clark is undoubtedly the superstar of women’s basketball and she has the talent and shooting to be just as big as LeBron James for the women’s side.
Once her college career ends, all eyes will be on her as she will be the number one pick in the WNBA Draft and hopefully turn into everything she is right now in the NCAA as she still fights for an NCAA Championship.
