Jason Whitlock accuses Dawn Staley of faking her support for Caitlin Clark after beating her in finals.

The outspoken reporter has made another controversial statement against Staley

Caitlin ClarkMary AltafferAP

Dawn Staley capped off a perfect season with South Carolina Gamecocks as they defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes in the NCAA championship game, but Staley has been slammed by Jason Whitlock as being fake.

Clark almost had a fairytale ending to her NCAA career with the Iowa Hawkeyes, who have since retired her 22 number, as she has attracted a lot of praise from fans of basketball, including Staley – but Staley only did so after her South Carolina outfit was no longer under threat of losing to her.

But Whitlock, known for his outspoken and controversial comments on the sport, has slammed her for refusing to praise Clark suggesting her subsequent praise is not authentic and that she allowed the pressure to build in the hopes that the Hawkeyes would lose games.

“Dawn Staley run out here, pretend like, continue this gimmick that you love god and that you know Caitlin Clark is great,” Whitlock said. “You know how long ago Dawn Staley could’ve told everybody, “Hey, get up off Caitlin Clark’s back”. Do you know how long ago she could’ve done that?

“But she waited until after she won the championship. Caitlin Clark gets abused all season, everybody’s trying to diminish her, Dawn Staley is quiet. Now that I [Staley] got my championship, now god is good… and god answers all prayers and all.”

The Hawkeyes’ pay tribute to Clark

Clark has faced a lot of criticism as she travelled through the NCAA, which she will now depart collegiate basketball as she heads to the NCAA Draft, but despite that, she will leave a mark as she holds the outright records for most points by a man or woman and averaged 31.6 points, 7.4 rebounds and 8.9 assists per game this season.

As a result, the Hawkeyes will retire her shirt number in one final tribute that undermines the incredibly impact she’s had on the college scene but also in regard to growing women’s basketball and attaining a cult-like following.

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“We always knew your jersey would be hanging in the rafters,” Beth Goetz, sporting director, said via The Gazette. “It is a privilege for me to now make that official.

“You will be the last to wear No. 22.”