It was an emotional end to Caitlin Clark’s college career as the undefeated champions, South Carolina, beat Iowa Hawkeyes by 12 points and clinched the title.

She created new benchmarks and broke records each time she stepped onto the court. Despite having many accolades, the G.O.A.T debate often sidelined Clark. Although the Gamecocks HC reversed her stance on this debate, American sports analyst, Chris Broussard wasn’t willing to bestow the ultimate title on the 22-year-old.

On the latest episode of the talk show ‘First Things First’, Chris Broussard appeared along with prominent sports personalities, Nick Wright and Kevin Wildes.

The trio discussed the college basketball star, Caitlin Clark’s recent feat of scoring 30 points in the two consecutive championship games. Broussard was asked if Caitlin Clark’s failure to secure the championship title would result in her being removed from the G.O.A.T conversation.

Broussard said, “She’s on the periphery because of what she’s accomplished, the impact on the game, but she’s not the G.O.A.T… You’re in the conversation without a (championship) ring”.

He used the example of former NFL quarterback Dan Marino to justify his opinion. He highlighted how many people have referred to Marino as one of the best NFL players to walk the green field but “scoff” at the idea of calling him a ‘G.O.A.T’ since he doesn’t have a single Super Bowl title to his name.

On the other hand, Clark has several records to her name. She is the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer in men’s and women’s basketball. In 2022, she posted 30-point triple-doubles and became the first-ever player to achieve this feat in DI basketball.

That year she also set the record for most points in an NCAA tournament (191) after Sheryl Swoopes. In 2023, she put up the first-ever 40-point triple-double in an NCAA tournament and also became the first DI player ever to record over 900 points and 300 assists in one season.

Despite the records, she hasn’t won a single championship and that’s what counted to compete in the debate.

Broussard further stated, “She’s not the G.O.A.T. I can’t, I got to be fair with what we usually judge by… I think your accomplishments have to support a G.O.A.T argument…”

However, Broussard did not take Clark completely off the conversation but said she “can be in the conversation because of the impact” she’s had on the game. Just like Clark, many other women basketball players in the past had glorious records to their names but failed to win a championship.

Lynette Woodard finished as the all-time leading scorer with 3,649 points in women’s college basketball history during her time at the University of Kansas. Then, Gamecocks HC finished her college career with 2,135 points.

Dawn Staley was awarded the National Player of the Year award for two consecutive years (1991 and ’92). As a player, she led the Cavaliers for 3 years and lost only 11 games, but that didn’t matter.

Another basketball player who was considered best, but without a championship, is Sabrina Ionescu. She had gained national attention for her triple-doubles and parking lot triples.

She was the first player in the NCAA to hold 8 triple-doubles in a single season, for two consecutive years (2018 to 2020) and was the NCAA all-time leader to hold 26 triple-doubles.

However, this is not the first time that Chris Broussard has used his platform to take the opposite stance when it comes to the Hawkeyes star.

It was barely two weeks ago when the 55-year-old made headlines for stating that Clark cannot compete on the same level as other NBA players.

He stated that Clark “could play with the old guys that aren’t in shape and they just play around, but young guys that play ball for a living, professionals, no”.

The 22-year-old sensation was quick to react and send out a message to those who said she was not a G.O.A.T.

After having a record-breaking legacy in her college career and breaking Stephen Curry’s record (162) for most three-pointers in a single NCAA Division-I season, she thought it was not the numbers she scored that was important but the impact she made and her ability to inspire the younger generation.

She further added, “When you’re in the spotlight like this there’s gonna be a million different opinions on you. And for as many people that are going to love you, there’s going to be people that don’t like you…”

Caitlin Clark felt that it was unfair to be judged in just the final 40 minutes of her college basketball level and she also did not want to be hard on herself. She further added,”… And I think what I’ve been able to do over the course of my career is just focus on the opinions of the people inside our locker room.

That’s what I really care about. The people that I love to death. The people that have had my back every single second of my career…” While Clark may not have the backing of a sports commentator, she does have the backing of a former WNBA legend Dawn Staley.

You are not a ‘G.O.A.T.’ if you don’t bring home a championship

Dawn Staley led the Gamecocks to their third NCAA women’s basketball championship in 16 seasons, elevating them to their current level. The South Carolina HC appreciated Caitlin Clark for “lifting up” the sport of women’s basketball.

She congratulated Iowa for their performance and further said, “I want to personally thank Caitlin Clark… She carried a heavy load for our sport, and it’s just not gonna stop here on a collegiate tour but when she’s the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft, she’s gonna lift that league up as well…”

The 53-year-old did not shy away from bestowing the title that Chris Broussard had denied her Staley further added, “So, Caitlin Clark, if you’re out there, you are one of the G.O.A.T’s of our game and we appreciate you.”

Clark was quick to respond to Staley’s appreciation in her post-game interview. She said, “Anytime somebody like coach Staley is able to recognize you and what you’ve done for the game is pretty special.

Honestly, she’s somebody I respect so much. I respect what she’s done for South Carolina, I respect what she did as a player for our game.”

However, not so long ago, Dawn Staley was once in the same boat as Caitlin Clark.

Having gone through an illustrious WNBA career, she knows how people would hesitate to bestow the G.O.A.T. title on you if you didn’t bring home the championship ring.

Recalling her days as a player for Virginia (1988-1992), she said, “I was really good in college, never won a championship… You’ve got to win a championship. That’s me, personally. Like I had a great career. But it’s always, Did you win a championship?”

Though Clark holds one of the finest records in college basketball, her being considered as G.O.A.T. is having several debates. What do you think of this debate? Let us know in the comments section below.