Stephen A Smith isn't sold on Caitlin Clark achieving GOAT status with Iowa national title

Iowa star Caitlin Clark is looking to go out on top. The senior has already had an incredible career and is hoping to finish it off with a run to a national championship over the next few weeks.

ESPN college basketball analyst Andraya Carter believes that if Caitlin Clark does lead Iowa to a national title, she will go down as the greatest women’s college basketball player of all time.

However, ESPN personality Stephen A Smith isn’t sold on that idea.

“I am not an expert in women’s college basketball, so I am in no position to challenge you, but I’m gonna try anyway,” Smith said to Carter Friday morning on First Take. “Let’s talk about Cheryl Miller for a second – the sister of Reggie Miller. I’m looking at some numbers here. A two-time national champion, a two-time NCAA Most Outstanding Player, obviously a three-time Naismith Award winner, four-time All-American. I’m like, come on, now.”

Smith didn’t stop there. He believes you can make the argument that Clark is still behind others in the GOAT debate.

“Don’t get me started with my girl Diana Taurasi,” Bayless said. “I mean it would be blasphemous for me not to mention that three-time national champion at UConn. That girl can shoot. She’s got ballhandling skills. She’s got moxie, she’s got toughness.”

Stephen A Smith is a fan of Caitlin Clark, who led Iowa to the national title game last year. The 2023 National Player of the Year is averaging 31.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.9 assists per game and has the Hawkeyes as a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

But even with a national championship, he’s not sure she’s the best ever.

“To just say Caitlin Clark and then just so flippantly dismiss these other names, my God. Diana Taurasi, that’s my all-time favorite. Breanna Stewart, I can’t forget the fact that she won a championship each and every single year in college,” Smith said.

There is one scenario that could potentially change Smith’s mind.

Iowa is in the same bracket as defending national champion LSU, and if the Hawkeyes beat the Tigers in their regional, then go on to beat No. 1 South Carolina on their way to a national championship, Smith admits he may reconsider his stance.

“Winning a national championship this year would obviously mean a lot, but I think it depends on who you go through,” he said. “For example, if South Carolina ends up getting bounced out earlier and you don’t get to see them… what if LSU gets bounced out and they don’t face Iowa. If you don’t face that competition, I think it matters.

“If she beats LSU and she beats South Carolina, I might have to stand down. But for the moment, I’m going to say that Cheryl Miller, I’m going to say that Diana Taurasi, I love Caitlin Clark, but I ain’t there yet. I just can’t throw them out like that.”