Over the weekend, the network aired a segment debating the top five players in women’s college basketball history. Analyst Ari Chambers led the charge in leaving Clark off the list, arguing that the Iowa standout’s lack of a national championship disqualifies her from top-five consideration. ESPN is under fire after excluding Caitlin Clark from their list of the greatest women’s college basketball players of all time.
“The only strike against Caitlin Clark is that she has not won a national championship, and that is the only thing that you can put against her because the way she dominated the record books at Iowa is something you can’t duplicate,” Chambers said. “She’s a three-time NCAA scoring leader and assists leader… But how can you be a top-five player if you have not won a title?”
Despite this stance, ESPN’s approach has left many fans frustrated, particularly given the network’s apparent contradiction. They released a ten-minute video ranking the greatest women’s college basketball players but titled it, “Is Caitlin Clark The Greatest Of All Time In College Basketball?” Critics accused ESPN of deliberately using Clark’s name for engagement while simultaneously dismissing her from the list.
Social media quickly erupted in defense of Clark, with fans calling out ESPN and Chambers for their reasoning.
One fan pointed out the flaw in the championship argument:
“How can you be a top-five player without a title? Because teams win titles—one player can’t be expected to drop 40-point triple-doubles every game. Not one player could take Iowa to back-to-back Final Fours, and that’s why she’s the GOAT.”
Another fan mocked the logic behind ESPN’s list:
“Caitlin broke every stat record imaginable as an individual but didn’t win a team national championship, so she’s never a top-five individual player. Got it.”
Clark’s omission is even more surprising considering her historic achievements. She holds numerous NCAA records, including the all-time scoring record in women’s college basketball, and has dominated in nearly every statistical category. Many argue that her impact on the game—both in terms of skill and cultural influence—should make her an automatic selection for any list of the greatest players.
While winning a national championship is a prestigious accomplishment, fans believe it should not be the sole factor in defining individual greatness. If statistical dominance, skill, and influence on the sport matter, then Clark’s name undoubtedly belongs among the best to ever play the game.
For now, the debate rages on, but one thing is clear—Caitlin Clark’s legacy in women’s college basketball is undeniable, championship or not.
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