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I tried, I really tried to find something else to write about besides Caitlin Clark. I read a bunch of sports news and kept an open mind, but in the end, I know all you want to know about right now is more about Miss America.
You got your wish.
She’s nearly as big as Taylor Swift. Yes, I said it. She’s the most fascinating athlete of the 21st Century. Yes, I said it. At the end of this century when ESPN does in-depth documentaries on the greatest athlete of the century, she’ll be in the top five.
Yes, I said it.
Michael Jordan wasn’t as dominant in college basketball as she has been.
Awards keep pouring in. Today she was named college basketball’s national player of the year for the second straight year. Duh. An avalanche of accolades, too many to count, is showering down upon her. Can you imagine being her right now sitting in her hotel room asking herself: “What has happened to my life? A few months ago I was well known in basketball circles; now I’m one of the famous Americans, the hottest story anywhere?”
How do you process that? I have no idea.
Her life is forever changed. Most of us won’t know how this feels. Almost none of us can relate. Superstardom is rare.
If she ran for president of the United States right now, I would go for her. So would you. She would win. Number 22 – our president. Wouldn’t that be awesome?
She’s not just great on the court. She excels in the classroom. She’s an Academic All-American. Do you know how hard it is to be the best hooper in college and a top student? So much talent, enormous discipline, personal sacrifices – constantly – that’s what it takes.
You can tell in her press interviews she’s a sharp thinker, eloquent, and sophisticated.
What else is she great at?
I’ll tell you. She’s great at getting fired up. And you know who’s firing her up right now? Geno Auriemma, UConn’s coach, who didn’t offer her a scholarship to play for his team. Didn’t call her though she was interested in playing for the powerhouse program.
I like Geno but he’s bugging me right now. He’s trying to mess with Caitlin’s mind hoping it will make her miss a lot of shots in the Final Four against his team. I don’t like a 70-year-old guy playing head games with a 22-year-old person, man or woman. It’s unbecoming. Feels cheap and lame. It’s uncool mind manipulation.
A week ago he said the best player in the country is Paige Bueckers, who plays on this team, and “everybody knows it.” No, Geno, I don’t know that and don’t believe that and millions of others don’t either. Paige is great and likable, but she has not done what Caitlin has done.
A few days later he said Caitlin was the best, the greatest player of all time, but he seemed to be sarcastic. And when asked why he didn’t recruit her, he said if she really wanted to play for UConn she would have called him.
No, Geno. You should have called her. It’s not her fault for not calling you. You missed on signing the greatest college women of all time.
I guarantee she’s aware of everything you’ve been saying about her lately and that will fuel her on Friday when she plays your team. So far she’s shown she can rise to higher levels in the biggest moments.
Friday’s a big moment, and you’ve given her bulletin board material. You’ve been dissing her, then blown insincere smoke her way, then told her if she really wanted to play for you she should have called you. If I were you, Geno, I would stop talking about Caitlin Clark.
She may take it all out of you and your team. She’s shown she knows how to do that.
You’re smart. You’re clever. You’re a winner.
But so is she.
Stop the classless head games.
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Sammy Sportface, a sports blogger, galvanizes, inspires, and amuses The Baby Boomer Brotherhood. And you can learn about his vision and join this group's Facebook page here:
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