Iowa legend Dan Gable on Caitlin Clark's impact: 'She is one of the greatest examples of bringing people together'
Iowa’s Caitlin Clark launched a long three-pointer to set the NCAA women’s basketball career scoring mark Thursday night in Iowa City.
But as the record-setter soared into the net at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, the lofty arc of the way she’s changed how people view the sport rose, too.
Clark surpassed previous record-holder Kelsey Plum of Washington with 2 minutes, 12 seconds, elapsed.
Then she kept going. And going. At the end of the game, Clark, a senior guard, had set an Iowa school record with 49 points before a crowd of 14,998. Iowa beat Michigan, 106-89.
Clark, a senior and West Des Moines (Iowa) Dowling alum, now has 3,569 points. Plum has 3,527.
Her still-rising star raises questions: How big of an impact can Clark have on the sport? Or beyond that, can she make an impact beyond athletics?
A fiery competitor, Clark’s dazzling skills have attracted fans around the world, and especially in her home state.
Another legend, former Iowa wrestling coach Dan Gable, said Clark’s skills and personality can take her beyond the boundaries of the basketball court.
“It’s the era of the aura,” said Gable, a native Iowan whose accomplishments include an Olympic gold medal as a competitor and 15 NCAA team titles as a Hawkeyes coach.
Iowa guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts after making a 3-point basket to set the all-time scoring record for NCAA women's basketball.
Photo by Joseph Cress/For the Register / USA TODAY NETWORK
From one legend to another. Gable’s international and college success made him one of the best-known Iowa competitors of all time.
Now he sees Clark charting her own destiny.
“People just look and see and witness and follow the success,” Gable said. “It shows you the impact someone can have on a sport, or something you do really well.
“She is one of the greatest examples of bringing people together.”
Clark sank 9 of 18 3-point attempts in Thursday’s win. She made 16 of 31 field goal attempts and all eight of her free throws. She added 13 assists.
Iowa improved to 23-3 with the win.
She stands 6 feet tall but serves as her team’s top ball-handler and scorer. Clark helped Iowa to an NCAA runner-up finish last season in a contest vs. Louisiana State that drew record TV audiences for the championship game.
Her success has widened the appreciation for college women’s basketball. NBA stars of the present and past have sung her praises.
Gable sees Clark as a game-changer. An athlete whose skills build up the game and provide a bond between humans that might not agree on most subjects.
“When you have that unique thing, look at what can happen,” Gable said.
-- John Naughton I @SBLiveIA
