South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley highlighted Caitlin Clark’s growing impact on the sport during a recent podcast appearance. Staley, who has faced Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes multiple times in NCAA Tournament championship games, spoke candidly about the star player’s game and the critical responses Clark faces from fans and analysts.

Staley’s team encountered Clark’s Hawkeyes in the 2023 NCAA Tournament, when Iowa made a surprising run to the national title game before falling to LSU. The following year, Clark’s squad again reached the final but lost to Staley’s Gamecocks. Despite the competitive rivalry, Staley expressed admiration for Clark and acknowledged the player’s ability to attract attention to women’s basketball.

Examining Clark’s Dual Role as Fan Favorite and Target of Criticism

Speaking on Kylie Kelce’s podcast Not Gonna Lie, Staley detailed the intense scrutiny surrounding Clark and her passionate fan base. She noted that many of Clark’s new fans are eager to praise her performance and often only want positive discussions about her contributions. Staley described this dynamic as challenging, given the reality of sports criticism.

She’s quite incredible, quite an anomaly when it comes to how many eyeballs she’s bringing on the game,

Staley said.

And the newness of those eyeballs — they only want her to do well. Only want you to speak very highly of her. Only, you know, want you to agree with what they agree with. And that’s kind of hard.

In addition, Staley pointed out that being critical of athletes is an inherent part of sports:

we’re critics to everyone that plays the game. We’re critics. It is part of the fabric of sports. It’s part of athletics. It’s the competition. That’s what we do.

Her remarks revealed a nuanced perspective on the challenges faced by standout players, particularly those like Clark who draw widespread attention from a newly invested audience.

Staley Highlights Clark’s Exceptional Court Vision Beyond Shooting Skills

While Caitlin Clark is widely recognized for her remarkable shooting ability, Staley emphasized another aspect of Clark’s skill set that she views as more impactful—the player’s passing and ability to elevate her teammates.

For me, the most dangerous thing of Caitlin Clark is her passing ability,

Staley noted.

Her ability to make other people better, and her ability to have other people’s production along with her production. That’s how you win.

This assessment underlines Clark’s role not just as a prolific scorer but also as a facilitator who contributes significantly to her team’s overall success. Staley’s insight offers depth in understanding Clark’s influence on the court.

The Broader Implications of Staley’s Observations on Clark

Dawn Staley’s comments come amid ongoing discussions about Caitlin Clark’s rise in professional women’s basketball with the Indiana Fever and her evolving reputation. By recognizing both the praise and criticism Clark receives, Staley sheds light on the complexities of being a high-profile athlete in today’s sports landscape.

Staley’s balanced viewpoint—respecting Clark’s talents while acknowledging the realities of critique—provides an important voice in how emerging stars are perceived by fans, coaches, and commentators alike. Her remarks may influence how conversations about Clark develop as her career progresses in the WNBA and beyond.