In front of her former coach Lisa Bluder, her Fever coach Stephanie White, and a packed crowd of 14,998, Caitlin Clark’s #22 went up into the rafters, immortalizing the impact and legacy she’s built at Iowa. While the arena buzzed with excitement, even the rivals couldn’t walk away. JuJu Watkins and the USC Trojans stuck around even after the upset to witness Clark’s moment and pay their respects.
USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb explained why they stayed, saying, “To honor her [Caitlin] and what women’s basketball is.” She added that although they’re writing their own story, there’s a special synergy in women’s basketball, a lot of which has come from Clark’s influence.
“So congratulations to her, nothing I can say that hasn’t been said, but the respect she has shown us and the humanity she’s shown us, I’m definitely a fan,” Gottlieb shared, emphasizing just how far-reaching Clark’s impact really is.
Watkins, who had the exact same reaction, said, “I’m a big fan of Caitlin. I’m happy to see her get her flowers.”
Juju Watkins: I’m a big fan of Caitlin. I’m happy to see her get her flowers.
— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) February 2, 2025
It shows that CC’s influence goes beyond just her playing career. The path she’s paved, the legacy she’s created, and most importantly, the heart she’s shown have earned the admiration of everyone around her.
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