Dawn Staley gives in: Caitlin Clark’s talent finally changes her message and leaves Angel Reese behind

The South Carolina coach reflects on her toughest loss and praises Clark’s rise as a generational star in the WNBA

During a candid conversation on the Higher Learning podcast with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay, South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley opened up about the painful aftermath of her team’s Final Four loss to Caitlin Clark and Iowa in 2023 – a game that left a deep emotional impact on her and her players.

“The year before we won [in 2024], we lost to Iowa in the semifinals, and that one hurt me really bad,” Staley recalled.

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When asked directly if it was the most difficult defeat of her career, she didn’t hesitate:

“Yes. Yes. Not for me, but for my players,” Staley responded. “We had a great team! They did all the right things. Great people, great competitors, so I wanted them to win… and when that didn’t happen, they were hurt. And that hurt me. That hurt me to my core.”

Though the defeat stung, Staley admitted she lost to a truly elite opponent, anchored by none other than Caitlin Clark.

Staley shifts focus and praises Clark’s WNBA greatness

In a separate June 5 interview with Sports Illustrated, Staley put past rivalries aside and offered a full-throated endorsement of Clark‘s growing legacy in the WNBA. Since entering the league in 2024, Clark has taken the sport by storm – and Staley didn’t hold back on her admiration.

“Caitlin will go down as probably one of the best players to ever grace the league. And she’s going to probably do it in half of the time that it takes any other great player,” she said.

“When you’re able to shoot the ball as well as she does, I think her passing ability, her court vision is second to none. Her ability to deliver the basketball makes her a triple threat…. She’s a big guard.”

Staley also praised the Indiana Fever‘s roster construction around Clark, which she believes will help the rookie thrive.

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“I think the fact that they surrounded her with such great talent, a triple-double is going to be a normal thing for Caitlin.”

Despite being on the losing end of one of Clark‘s most iconic college victories, Staley has clearly moved past the sting of that 2023 semifinal. Instead, she’s watching No. 22 redefine excellence at the professional level – and acknowledging that greatness when she sees it.