Lisa Bluder answers how to make life easier for the next Caitlin Clark
Lisa Bluder, Caitlin Clark, Iowa – © Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK
Iowa Hawkeyes star Caitlin Clark has become one of the best-known athletes in the country amid her historic career and senior season. In many ways, she’s changed women’s college basketball. Now, her head coach Lisa Bluder is looking for an answer on how to make life easier for the next Caitlin Clark.
When asked about it ahead of the national championship game, Bluder explained that everyone is different and that Clark has handled it very well. However, other players may need their own advice.
“That’s a great question,” Lisa Bluder said. “I haven’t given thought to that. Every kid is different. Every human being is different. I think the way that Caitlin has handled this has been almost textbook on how to manage outside expectations and all the extra media.”
“I would tell another kid, a child or player coming up, you can all say no. You don’t have to do everything. You don’t have to answer every question. You don’t have to do every interview.”
This season, Caitlin Clark became the all-time leading scorer for a career in college basketball, for both men and women. There have been numerous things requested of her, but Bluder believes knowing what to turn down has been important.
“We’ve done, I think, a very good job, I think our sports information department has done a very good job of limiting Caitlin’s requests because she would want to say yes to everybody because that’s the type of person she is. Most young women want to say yes all the time to people who want to have a request like that,” Bluder said.
“I would really caution them on having a good sports information protector around her. And also it’s okay to say no and don’t let it get to your head.”
After coming up short in the championship game against LSU last season, Iowa is looking to win it all this year against South Carolina on Sunday.
Caitlin Clark on matchup with South Carolina
Ahead of playing for a national championship, Caitlin Clark shared her thoughts on the matchup with South Carolina.
“I think this matchup, you can’t ask for anything better. I think it speaks to the way women’s basketball has been tremendous on all levels all throughout the year. We know we have our hands full. Everybody around the country knows South Carolina has been the team all year. They’ve observed that. They’ve earned it. They’ve just been incredible,” Clark said.
“I’ve turned on the TV most of the times they’ve played because they’re so much fun to watch. The depth that they have, the way they rebound the ball, the way they’re shooting the ball. They’ve just been incredible.”
Zach Boyden-Holmes / USA TODAY NETWORK
Caitlin Clark has officially taken her talents to the pros with 18 WNBA games under her belt after being selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. But On Thursday the Indiana Fever rookie continued to add to her unprecedented legacy at the college level.
For the second straight year, Clark was named the Big Ten Conference Female Athlete of the Year following an impressive final season for the Iowa Hawkeyes. Adding to her lengthy list of accolades and accomplishments in her prolific college basketball career.
Clark became the all-time leading scorer across men’s and women’s college history this past season, ending her Iowa career with 3,951 total points. Also becoming the first men’s or women’s college athlete with 3,000 points and 1,000 assists in her career along with 800 rebounds. Proving herself to be much more than just an elite scorer.
Last season Clark led women’s college basketball in 10 different statistical categories which included 31.6 points per game, 8.9 assists per game, 201 three-pointers made, and six triple-doubles. Recognized as the National Player of the Year by 12 different organizations, many for the second straight year after back-to-back dominant seasons.
Within the conference, Clark became the first Iowa women’s basketball player player to earn a First Team All-Big Ten selection four times. Leading the Hawkeyes to three straight Big Ten Tournament titles where she took home three Big Ten Tournament Most Valuable Player Awards. Also performing at a high level in the NCAA Tournament where she led Iowa to two back-to-back Final Fours and national championship game appearances.
Outside of rewriting the record books and playing with a style that was never before seen at the college level, Clark also had an immeasurable impact on the sport of women’s basketball off the court. Bringing in an unprecedented amount of attention to the sport seen through record-breaking attendance and television viewership numbers during her final two years at Iowa. Helping grow the national dialogue and overall reach in women’s basketball while also serving as a great example for young female athletes.
“I want to personally thank Caitlin Clark for lifting up our sport,” South Carolina head basketball coach Dawn Staley said following last year’s national championship game. “She carried a heavy load for our sport and it just is not going to stop here on the collegiate tour, but when she is the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft, she’s going to lift that league up as well.”
“So Caitlin Clark, if you’re out there, you are one of the GOATs of our game. We appreciate you.”
Clark is the third repeat winner of the Big Ten Female Athlete of the Year Award, with Purdue men’s basketball player Zach Edey also taking home the Big Ten Male Athlete of the Year Award for the second straight year as well.
