Current:Home > InvestCaitlin Clark is astonishing. But no one is better than USC's Cheryl Miller. -Edge Finance Strategies
Caitlin Clark is astonishing. But no one is better than USC's Cheryl Miller.
View
Date:2025-04-15 19:14:22
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! (83922)
Related
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- Freshman classes provide glimpse of affirmative action ruling’s impact on colleges
- Michigan newlyweds are charged after groomsman is struck and killed by SUV
- Without Social Security reform Americans in retirement may lose big, report says
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- McDonald's changing up McFlurry with new mini versions, eco-friendly lids
- Get a student discount for NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV: Here's how to save $280 or more
- Taylor Swift spotted at first Chiefs game of season to support Travis Kelce
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- USWNT star Alex Morgan announces retirement from soccer, second pregnancy
Ranking
- 'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
- FBI searches the homes of at least three top deputies to New York City’s mayor
- AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Rhode Island’s state primaries
- Feeling the heat as Earth breaks yet another record for hottest summer
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Harvey Weinstein UK indecent assault case dropped over chance of conviction
- Caity Simmers, an 18-year-old surfing phenom, could pry record from all-time great
- When is the next Mega Millions drawing? $740 million up for grabs on Friday night
Recommendation
Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
Hugh Jackman Proves He’s Still the Greatest Showman With Eye-Popping Shirtless Photo
Police deny Venezuela gang has taken over rundown apartment complex in Denver suburb
Former Mississippi teacher accused of threatening students and teachers
Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
NFL schedule today: Everything to know about Packers vs. Eagles on Friday
'Who TF Did I Marry?' TV show in the works based on viral TikTok series
Linkin Park announces first tour since Chester Bennington's death with new female singer