The incredible Iowa phenom, Caitlin Clark has been making waves and changing the course of history with her unmatched ability to score points. Not everyone, though, is prepared to declare her the women’s basketball player of all time (GOAT). Following Clark’s unprecedented accomplishments, well-known basketball commentator, Jay Williams has strengthened his position on her standing.
Jay Williams is standing by his opinion of Caitlin Clark’s greatness despite some reactions. After declaring last week that he was “unwilling” to classify the Iowa senior as a “great” basketball player, the ESPN commentator came under fire. During Wednesday night’s ESPN coverage of the men’s basketball game between Kentucky and LSU, he reiterated his Clark take.
Although Williams acknowledges Clark’s extraordinary talent and game-changing influence, she won’t consider her a GOAT until she wins a title for her team. Williams feels that a team’s success, especially its championships, is the best indicator of excellence.
Jay Williams on Caitlin Clark (again):
“I hear people talking about GOATS. For me, I’m like, “OK, you wanna be a GOAT. Fine. There’s level of greatness. You gotta win championships to be GOATS…Championships. That’s how we measure greatness overall.” pic.twitter.com/1inUByFmtc
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 22, 2024
He mentioned Breanna Stewart and Diana Taurasi, two former UConn standouts who are now WNBA icons and winners of numerous NCAA and WNBA championships. When Williams asserted this week that the senior from the University of Iowa wasn’t the best women’s player of all time, the internet took exception.
Fans react to Jay Williams not considering Caitlin Clark in the GOAT category
Both fans and commentators have responded passionately to the controversy over Clark’s GOAT title. Internet users have responded to those remarks by accusing Williams of denying Clark credit merely because she is a white woman.
Caitlin Clark (Credits: CNN)There is immense criticism Williams is getting and people are connecting it with her being white. For reactions, scroll below:
I’d honestly have more respect for him if he just told the truth that he doesn’t like her because she’s white, instead of trying to gaslight people in saying that team success is how to measure individual greatness
— Brandon Lampe (@Toesteroven34) February 22, 2024
Understand the position, but taking a team full of Mare of Easttowns to the title game while facing teams stacked with All-Americans tells me something though. https://t.co/Wb1YNVgRnQ
— Nate Jones (@JonesOnTheNBA) February 22, 2024
It’s 2024 it’s ok to use nuance and your brain.. I don’t feel people get how stupid it sounds to say she is the best scorer the game has ever seen but not one of the best ever because she chose Iowa instead of UConn or SC. Like there’s one defining factor.. https://t.co/w1kqweML75
— SSN Jay-O (@Jay_3shifty) February 22, 2024
doubling down on your dumbass comment instead of talking about the game you’re supposed to call and people wonder why we want this girl to move on to the next level https://t.co/s67sUJRgfv
— 🧚🏽♀️ (@aclassyteaparty) February 22, 2024
The fans have left no stone unturned in bashing Jay Williams for his baffling stance on Caitlin Clark. Although Clark’s accomplishments and records demonstrate his exceptional ability, some people still view winning a championship as the ultimate test. The argument about Clark’s GOAT designation serves as a reminder of the complex definition of excellence in basketball, even as she continues to shine on the court.
