Dawn Staley Calls Caitlin Clark “One of the Best Ever” and Predicts a Historic WNBA Career
Dawn Staley has firmly established herself as a powerhouse in women’s college basketball. Since taking over at South Carolina in 2008, she’s transformed the Gamecocks into a national force, claiming NCAA titles in 2017, 2022, and most recently, in 2024. Her coaching excellence has also earned her four Naismith Coach of the Year honors—all since 2020.
Her latest championship run was especially meaningful, as the Gamecocks avenged their 2023 Final Four loss to Iowa by defeating Caitlin Clark and the Hawkeyes 87-75 in the 2024 title game, closing the book on Clark’s record-breaking college career.
Clark was selected No. 1 overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA Draft, and her rookie season wasted no time making headlines. She averaged 19.2 points and 8.4 assists per game while breaking the WNBA’s single-season assist record.
On Thursday, Staley joined Sports Illustrated’s “Around the W” podcast, where she discussed her new book, WNBA fashion, and Clark’s early impact as a professional player. The Gamecocks coach didn’t hold back in her praise.
“I would say Caitlin will go down as probably one of the best players to ever grace the league,” Staley said. “And she’s going to probably do it in half of the time than any other great player.”
Staley went on to explain what sets Clark apart on the court.
“When you’re able to shoot the ball as well as she does, I think her passing ability, her court vision is second to none,” she added. “Her ability to deliver the basketball makes her a triple threat. She rebounds the basketball. She’s a big guard… She’s legitimately six feet, so she sees over you. She’s able to get her shot off on anyone, and I think the fact that they surrounded her with just such great talent, a triple-double is going to be a normal thing for Caitlin.”
Clark began her sophomore WNBA season in strong form but was recently sidelined with a left quad strain just four games in. She’s missed three games so far, but is expected to return as early as June 10.
