LAST DANCE

Last Sunday, I drove to Cleveland on a whim for one purpose - to see Caitlin Clark's last college game in the NCAA Women's Final. While I had hoped Clark would win and end her career with a title, that was not meant to be. Like in life, things often do not according to plan in sports as well. Despite that, the game was truly electric thanks to the efforts of players on both teams, but most of all to Clark.

In years passed, I have not even watched the NCAA Women's Final. However, the past two years have been different with Clark's ascendance. Simply put, you always have a chance with Caitlin Clark on your side! She is a gamechanger who elevates those around her and whose feats on the court are unmatched.!

Until Caitlin came along, I had never heard the term "Logo three pointer," which is to say a three point shot taken from the logo at center court. This shot is just a routine part of her repertoire, and her scoring percentage from that distance rivals that of many players from two point range!

What is truly remarkable is that Caitlin is not just an incredible shooter and scorer but that her court vision and passing is among the best I have ever seen. She is the best combination of Steph Curry and Magic Johnson all in one - something I have never seen!

Wright Thompson had a wonderful profile of Caitlin recently. It was eye-opening, and I learned many new facts about her. For example, I did not known that she had committed to Notre Dame, where her parents had encouraged her to play. Ultimately, she decided she was not read to move so far away from home, and she stayed to play at Iowa. Deep down, she must have made the decision that family was more important that winning titles. She must have maintained that thought because she also refused to transfer from Iowa after her first two seasons and after coming up short in the final last year. 

It is quite possible had she gone to any top ten women's basketball school, she would have led them to multiple titles. However, it is also probable that she would not have been able to impose her free-flowing, dominant style on her opponents in those other schools' offensive systems. I cannot speak for Caitlin, but I can say that the way she plays has reframed my view of sports - not just women's sports - and what an elite, game-changing athlete looks like. 

I hope the Indian Fever make her the number one pick in the upcoming WNBA draft, and I look forward to heading down to Indianapolis to see her play again! 

From all of us, thank you, Caitlin, for allowing us to see you dance your way across the court and for bringing so much joy and awe to our lives. The NCAA Final will definitely not be your last dance!