The Impact of Women’s Basketball: Megan Rapinoe Discusses the Legacy Beyond Caitlin Clark

The Rise of Women’s Basketball: Megan Rapinoe Credits WNBA Veterans for Caitlin Clark’s Success

In a recent interview at the Business of Women’s Sports Summit in New York, retired USWNT star Megan Rapinoe highlighted the impact of WNBA veterans on the success of rising basketball star Caitlin Clark. Clark, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever, has been making waves in the basketball world with her record-breaking season and celebrity status.

Rapinoe emphasized that Clark’s success is not solely attributed to her talent, but also to the foundation laid by past and present WNBA legends such as Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore, Dawn Staley, and Lisa Leslie. She praised the WNBA for its role in shaping women’s basketball over the past 28 years and creating a legacy that has paved the way for future generations of players.

The 38-year-old soccer icon expressed her excitement as a “real-life fangirl” to see Clark play at the professional level. She commended the WNBA for its efforts in growing the league and creating an inclusive and diverse space for women in sports.

Clark’s impact was felt not only in college basketball but also in the WNBA draft, which saw record-breaking viewership. The upcoming WNBA season is highly anticipated, with training camps set to open on April 28 and the season kicking off on May 14.

Overall, Rapinoe’s insights shed light on the collective effort of WNBA veterans, current players, and rising stars like Caitlin Clark in propelling women’s basketball to new heights. The future of the sport looks bright, thanks to the contributions of these trailblazing athletes.