The pair earned another accolade earlier this week, just months after their teams’ face-off sparked feuds among fans and put women’s basketball in the spotlight
DES MOINES, Iowa — Caitlin Clark acquired another accolade on Tuesday, with one condition: she’ll share it with Louisiana State University’s star player, Angel Reese.
The pair was named 2023 Sporting News Athletes of the Year earlier this week, just months after their teams’ face-off sparked feuds among fans and put women’s basketball in the spotlight.
The Hawkeye-Tiger matchup broke viewership records in April, keeping the attention of 9.9 million viewers, according to ESPN. The game peaked at 12.6 million viewers and was the most-watched women’s college basketball game ever.
“Their impact on their sport in particular, on the world of sports in general, compelled The Sporting News to select Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese as our Athletes of the Year for 2023, making them the successors to soccer superstar Lionel Messi, baseball’s Shohei Ohtani and placing them in the same category as icons LeBron James, Tom Brady, Michael Jordan and Jackie Joyner-Kersee,” the announcement article reads.
Ultimately, LSU defeated the Hawkeyes and their star-studded top player 102-85, earning the Tigers their first-ever title. That final score broke the previous record high for a championship game, trouncing the 97 points Texas scored against Southern California back in 1986.
It’s not the first time the players have shared honors: following the championship game, Jill Biden invited both teams to the White House.
“I know we’ll have the champions come to the White House, we always do. So, we hope LSU will come,” First Lady Jill Biden said following the face off. “But, you know, I’m going to tell Joe I think Iowa should come, too, because they played such a good game.”
It’s the first time since 2000 that the award is being split — Ram’s football players Marshall Faulk and Kurt Warner shared the title too.
It’s not the first time the players have shared honors: following the championship game, Jill Biden invited both teams to the White House.
“I know we’ll have the champions come to the White House, we always do. So, we hope LSU will come,” First Lady Jill Biden said following the face off. “But, you know, I’m going to tell Joe I think Iowa should come, too, because they played such a good game.”
It’s the first time since 2000 that the award is being split — Ram’s football players Marshall Faulk and Kurt Warner shared the title too.
