ESPN analyst Jay Williams stirred controversy earlier this month by expressing his opinion that Iowa star Caitlin Clark isn’t yet an all-time great in women’s college basketball.
“I think she’s the Stephen Curry of women’s college basketball. I think she has changed the dynamics of the way the game is played. I am unwilling to say she is great yet,” Williams explained. “I think she’s the most prolific scorer the game of basketball has ever seen. I hold great for when you win championships.”
Despite facing criticism for his remarks, Williams stood by his stance on Clark.
“For me, I’m like, ‘OK, you wanna be a GOAT. Fine. There’s level of greatness.’ You gotta win championships to be GOATs … Let’s slow down,” Williams reiterated a few days later.
In response to the ongoing debate, veteran basketball commentator Dick Vitale weighed in on Monday night, offering his perspective on Clark’s legacy.
“Recently there has been debate about being the GOAT as it related to @CaitlinClark22,” Vitale shared. “Look I RESPECT the views of others but I do not think it is FAIR to eliminate someone that doesn’t win a championship. Championships r won by strong talented TEAMS. I always felt that WILT C & many others don’t get a fair shake. He didn’t play with a HOF roster ala the Celtics.”
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With conflicting views from top ESPN analysts, the debate surrounding Caitlin Clark’s status as an all-time great in women’s college basketball continues. Whether Williams will respond to Vitale’s comments remains to be seen.
