As debates continue about who deserves the #4 spot on Iowa’s Mount Rushmore of sports legends, Caitlin Clark’s name is once again at the center of controversy—this time, not for her record-breaking performance, but for the backlash she’s facing.
Mariah Rose, daughter of NBA veteran Jalen Rose, recently called out critics who question Caitlin’s place among the greats in women’s basketball. “It’s ridiculous that Caitlin is in the Mount Rushmore of women’s basketball players,” she said sarcastically, pointing out the double standard. “She gets a lot of hate from people just because she’s good at what she does. And it needs to be tackled. Because she’s just a white girl who loves basketball.”
While some argue that Clark hasn’t earned a spot yet among Iowa icons like Nile Kinnick, Dan Gable, and Kurt Warner, her supporters say her impact on women’s basketball—and her trailblazing role in raising the game’s visibility—speaks volumes.
But it’s not just about basketball stats anymore. Clark, the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer, is being judged for more than her skills—raising uncomfortable questions about race, gender, and what it means to be beloved in American sports.
With opinions split, one thing is clear: Caitlin Clark is no longer just a basketball player—she’s a cultural lightning rod.
