Kelci Boyd
Staff Writer
The world of women’s basketball is exploding with renewed vigor and excitement with every season that goes by, enthralling spectators with its thrilling games and gripping stories.
Women basketball players are now showing the masses what the game of basketball is all about.
With her extraordinary talent and skill on the court, Caitlin Clark, the star guard for the University of Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball team, has been creating waves in the women’s basketball world.
In an attempt to see the Caitlin Clark Experience, Big Ten supporters have spent hundreds of dollars to get in the conference stadiums this season.
According to The Athletic, Caitlin stated, “I think it shows you’ve got to come in every single day and be ready to play basketball because no matter who it is, you can beat anybody, you can lose [to] anybody. That’s a great thing about women’s basketball. That’s what makes it so fun.”
The gifted forward for the Louisiana State University women’s basketball team, Angel Reese, has shown off her incredible athleticism and skill on the floor.
After her big win, winning the national championship game, it brought a lot of attention and hate train towards her.
According to The Mirror, Reese stated in an interview, “Everybody hating wish they could swap lives with me and that’s why I don’t take y’all serious.”
She continues to keep up her hard effort in the game and helps the team improve every day.
Breanna Stewart is one of the best players in the WNBA right now. Stewart never fails to find a way to get the ball in the hoop with style, whether it’s by making three-pointers with flawless form, attacking the rim with strong drives, or using her mid-range abilities.
Leading the Seattle Storm to three WNBA titles and winning Finals MVP for her exceptional efforts, Stewart has proven herself on the grandest stage. She is one of the best players in women’s basketball because of her ability to step up her play under duress and guide her team to victory.
Students of Jackson State University weighed in on what made them draw their attention to women’s basketball and how they thought it had evolved in the last couple of years.
Za’Kiya Burnett, a sophomore theatre major from Memphis, Tenn. said, “I’ve always loved sports, and I started watching women’s basketball because I wanted to support and appreciate the talent and athleticism of female athletes. I also was a basketball cheerleader in high school which drove me to love it.”
Burnett added: “Over the years, women’s basketball has definitely evolved and gained more recognition. The skill level, competitiveness, and overall popularity have grown, and it’s amazing to see the progress and the inspiring role models that have emerged in the sport.”
E’miyah Slan, a junior speech communications major from Woodville, Miss. stated, “I believe what drew me to watch women’s basketball was seeing women involved in such a male – dominated sport. Women that are becoming role models and can be looked up to. It’s amazing to see that women can do the same that men can whether it’s in sports or other fields.”
Slan added: “I believe women’s basketball because it faced a limited opportunities and recognition. Now, in present time, you see more talk about the WNBA and the women being recognized and gaining endless amounts of accomplishments and attention.”
Without a doubt, women’s basketball is developing and improving with every year that goes by. The sport is gaining prominence and media attention, professionalizing leagues, and developing talent are just a few of the ways it is evolving and enthralling spectators globally.
