Current:Home > MyCaitlin Clark is astonishing. But no one is better than USC's Cheryl Miller. -Thrive Capital Insights
Caitlin Clark is astonishing. But no one is better than USC's Cheryl Miller.
View
Date:2025-04-26 07:21:20
In February for Black History Month, USA TODAY Sports is publishing the series "29 Black Stories in 29 Days." We examine the issues, challenges and opportunities Black athletes and sports officials continue to face after the nation’s reckoning on race following the murder of George Floyd in 2020. This is the fourth installment of the series.
Let's be clear from the jump: Caitlin Clark is an all-time great player. Some people have tried to say she's not. Oh yeah. She is. A legendary, devastating player. Anyone who says otherwise is a goofball hater.
Yet something has happened when it comes to Clark that's been interesting to watch. There's been a classic case of recency bias. It's been all over the place in the Clark coverage and analysis. She's been anointed as the greatest player ever by some and there's an argument for that but it ignores what is a plethora of greats ... and I mean a staggering number of stunning players who are at least as good as Clark.
We saw this recency bias when Shaquille O'Neal declared Clark as "the best female collegiate player ever."
Again, it's okay, and also fun, to have this debate, as long as there's some historical perspective, which doesn't seem present. That's because you cannot have the discussion about greatest women's college player ever without mentioning one name: Cheryl Miller.
Some of you may know about Miller, some of you might not. For historical, basketball old heads, no woman player is better than Miller, and I mean no one.
There are a number of greats like Candace Parker, Breanna Stewart, Maya Moore and Diana Taurasi, among others. But to me Miller tops them all.
I believe Miller, at her height, would have destroyed almost any other woman college player at theirs. And some men, too. She was generally viewed as better than her brother, Reggie Miller. That's not an exaggeration. That's how good she was.
Cheryl played at 6 foot 2 and was fast, physical and could shoot. She handled the ball like a point guard but also physically dominated the interior. Almost no one could stop her.
It's true that the women's game is far deeper and more athletic than when Miller played at USC from 1982-1986 but it doesn't matter. If you took Miller from the 1980s, placed her in a time machine, and put her in today's game, she would obliterate everyone.
Miller averaged 23 points, 12 rebounds and 3 assists a game. She was a two-time NCAA champion, a two-time tournament Most Outstanding Player, three-time player of the year, and four-time All-American.
Again, Clark is terrific, and none of this is about diminishing what she's accomplished. It's also true we're allowed to just let Clark enjoy her moment. But what's been lacking since Clark broke the scoring record is historical context. This is where people are failing.
Because they're forgetting all about Miller.
veryGood! (69564)
Related
- Paris Olympics live updates: Quincy Hall wins 400m thriller; USA women's hoops in action
- Why some Egyptians are fuming over Netflix's Black Cleopatra
- Ukraine intercepts Russia's latest missile barrage, putting a damper on Putin's Victory Day parade
- The Bachelor: How Zach's No Sex Fantasy Suites Week Threw Things Into Chaos
- Mega Millions winning numbers for August 6 drawing: Jackpot climbs to $398 million
- Why some Egyptians are fuming over Netflix's Black Cleopatra
- Get Sweat-Proof Makeup That Lasts All Day and Save 52% on These Tarte Top-Sellers
- Joshua Jackson Gives a Glimpse Into His “Magical” Home Life with Jodie Turner-Smith and Daughter Janie
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Ulta 24-Hour Flash Sale: Take 50% Off Origins, Live Tinted, Foreo, Jaclyn Cosmetics, and More
Ranking
- Everything Simone Biles did at the Paris Olympics was amplified. She thrived in the spotlight
- Kelly Ripa Recalls Past Marriage Challenges With “Insanely Jealous” Husband Mark Consuelos
- These Are the 10 Best Strapless Bras for Every Bust Size, According to Reviewers
- Elon Musk gives Twitter employees an ultimatum: Stay or go by tomorrow
- IOC's decision to separate speed climbing from other disciplines paying off
- Transcript: Rep. Patrick McHenry on Face the Nation, May 7, 2023
- This Detangling Hairbrush With 73,000+ 5-Star Amazon Reviews Is on Sale for $12
- Twitter has lost 50 of its top 100 advertisers since Elon Musk took over, report says
Recommendation
NCAA hits former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh with suspension, show-cause for recruiting violations
Mexico will increase efforts to stop U.S.-bound migrants as Title 42 ends, U.S. officials say
Kelly Ripa Recalls Past Marriage Challenges With “Insanely Jealous” Husband Mark Consuelos
Video games are tough on you because they love you
Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
Detectives seeking clues in hunt for killers of 22 unidentified women: Don't let these girls be forgotten
Transcript: Sen. Kyrsten Sinema on Face the Nation, May 7, 2023
Pakistan riots over Imran Khan's arrest continue as army deployed, 8 people killed in clashes