By Mark Halpern
I played sports for the better part of my life. I played baseball (22 years) Basketball (10 years) Soccer (5 years) and I wasn’t a super star but I loved to play. I look at sports stars over the last 30 years and in every sport a player emerges as the face of the sport. For example, Michael Jordan for the NBA, Patrick Mahomes for the NFL, Shohei Ohtani for the MLB and they have done a magnificent job as ambassadors to their respected sports but, none of them did what Jackie Robinson did and what Caitlin Clark is doing.
We all know the legendary story of Jackie Robinson on how he broke the color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers which then paved the way for other players such as Satchel Paige, Buck O’Neil, Monte Irvin and so much more. The WNBA was formed in 1997 and has a great following and has had some amazing players such as Lisa Leslie, Rebecca Lobo, Diana Taursi and Brittany Griner and so many more but, none of them has had the attention like Catlin Clark is receiving.
Clark played for Iowa Hawkeyes and what a college career she had averaging 28.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and 8.2 assists over her four year college career. She was the most followed player not just by her fans but by every analyst in the market today. She is a true leader and an amazing basketball player however she now has more weight on her shoulders. There was no surprise that Caitlin was drafted #1 overall by the Indiana Fever and signed a four-year rookie deal. Caitlin Clark signed deals with Panini Sports cards to produce her cards, she now has her own shoe deal, she is now the face of Wilson Sports. Caitlin isn’t just a basketball player she is an inspiration to every young girl who picks up a basketball and wants to play. We all know the famous phrase “I wanna be like Mike” which was one of the most brilliant advertising campaigns for a basketball player. However, with the following that Clark has and respect from not only her teammates but, from the sports world in general the time will come for her commercial and tagline. Clark has said it’s not about the money and that she just wants to play. No offense to her I am sure she is happy with the lucrative deals she has signed for certain things. Not to take anything away from any player who came before her but, Clark set a career high Tuesday night by having a stat line of 30pts, 5 reb, 5ast, 3 steals and 3 blocks. The response to her in college and now the WNBA for being classy, competitive (and we know she can take some BS from other players trying to get a rise out of her) is a very good sport and the flattery she receives is ongoing. Caitlin Clark is a hero to all young girls and I look forward to following her career and watching the greatness she brings to the sport.
The Sports Insanity Network 