Basketball can deliver exhilarating highs, yet even for the most exceptional talents like Caitlin Clark, success on the court doesn’t guarantee a championship, as her college experience demonstrated.

South Carolina dashed Clark’s hopes of concluding her college career with an NCAA championship title, casting a shadow over her departure ahead of the WNBA Draft later this month. Instead, the Gamecocks claimed this year’s national championship.

Despite being the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer for both men and women, 22-year-old Clark’s final collegiate game saw her make 10 of 28 shots, including 5 of 13 3-pointers, accumulating a total of 3,951 points over her four-year tenure. Additionally, she contributed five assists.

While Sunday’s defeat marked the end of Clark’s college basketball journey, it was made memorable by a heartfelt message from her longtime boyfriend, Connor McCaffery, who labeled her “My GOAT” on his Instagram story as she walked off the court.

Although the loss may sting, Clark’s remarkable run to a second consecutive NCAA Championship game has significantly elevated the profile of women’s basketball. Her presence alone set new TV ratings records for women’s college basketball twice in the past week alone, with further records likely following once Sunday’s numbers are tallied.

As she transitions to the next phase of her life, women’s college basketball will undoubtedly miss Clark’s influence. However, her potential impact on the WNBA could be transformative.

Despite facing skepticism or lack of support from some older players in the league, Clark possesses the potential to become the Stephen Curry or Michael Jordan of women’s professional basketball, potentially altering the trajectory of the WNBA indefinitely.

If Clark fulfills her potential in the WNBA, her success could benefit the entire league, ushering in a new era of excellence and opportunity for women’s basketball.