She is Caitlin Clark
Jan. 22, 2002 marks the birth of female basketball sensation Cailin Clark. The day is also anticipatory of the rebirth of women’s sports entirely. Oftentimes compared to the astonishing three-point shooter Stephen Curry, Clark’s prominence on the court may be the imperative element in keeping the female-sport viewership afloat.
Clark has never known a life without sports, starting her first athletic endeavor with none other than basketball, as well as softball, volleyball, soccer, tennis, and golf. Her focus in basketball began in her teenage years, specializing in the much sought after three-point shot. The now-22-year-old plays in her home state at the University of Iowa. From the very first minutes logged onto her stats sheet, Clark has garnered the attention of basketball fans of all sectors. Her dominance refuses to be confined to the idea that she is only “good for a woman.”
This fourth-year college student has racked up numerous awards that recognize her excellence, but her greatest accomplishment is the effect she has had on female youth. Her likeness reflects an unapologetic woman who is unafraid to lift up her feat while maintaining humility in the notion that such an influence can determine the future fate of the female role in a historically male-centric endeavor.
Since the invention of the three pointer in 1967, countless male figures have helped popularize this well-loved shot, such as stars Lebron James and Klay Thompson. Following the footsteps of Hall of Famer Ray Allen, Curry led child fans to pursue dominance behind the arc. The number of up-and-coming basketball players who specialize in this flashy shot is only increasing as children aspire to the greatness of Curry’s consistency.
However, this misleading representation fails to recognize the role of women in such successes. Although high-level women’s sports have existed for over a century to an extent, the misogynistic stigma barrier is yet to be broken. Women’s National Basketball League stars such as Diana Taurasi and Sabrina Ionescue are not lauded in the way their male counterparts are, unjustly justified by sexist onlookers through biological excuses.
This affects the girls whose main media consumption consists of representations of traditional masculine-feminine ideals. When young girls recognize that the world offers them limited spaces, their inclination is to be in agreement with the way things are. Clark is now taking on the reins to change the way female capabilities are flaunted. No misogynistic remarks can disregard her undeniable dominance which drives her to consistently put up shots yards behind the arc. She unashamedly established a new space for her to occupy and command, each new number on the stats sheet telling girls that they are allowed to take up as much space as their heart desires.
Clark is redefining what it is to be an athlete. She won’t settle for being a female Stephen Curry - she is Caitlin Clark.
