Iowa Hawkeyes star Caitlin Clark has done what few in women’s sports have been able to, completely transcend their individual sport into the mainstream public eye. And for that, she has earned the admiration of an NBA legend credited for changing the culture of basketball as a whole.
Hall of Fame shooting guard Allen Iverson’s impact on the game of basketball is matched by only a select few, helping grow the sport on and off the court.
The impact Clark has had on women’s basketball is certainly pronounced, which Iverson praised her for, calling her the “perfect role model” for any young athlete.
“She’s everything,” said Iverson in a conversation with Robin Lundberg of Sports Illustrated. “She’s everything that we want in our sport. She’s the perfect role model for what we want. To hell with whether she is a man or anything like that. Just who she is, a class act off the court as well man. Don’t get no better.”
Allen Iverson is a big fan of Caitlin Clark pic.twitter.com/zgPTkfFzba
— Robin Lundberg (@robinlundberg) March 19, 2024
Coming from someone like Iverson, who many athletes her age looked up to growing up, this has to be some pretty awesome praise for Clark to hear.
Clark will have one more chance at the collegiate level to make her mark before entering the WNBA Draft, which will come in the upcoming Women’s NCAA Tournament.
Iowa’s Round of 64 matchup will kick off on Saturday against the winner of the No. 16 seed play-in game between Holy Cross and UT Martin.