From Iowa to the WNBA – Caitlin Clark's rise to fame and popularity

Caitlin Clark continues to rise and is now the number one pick for the Indiana Fever in the WNBA draft. This comes after an impressive college career at Iowa, where she led her team to the national championship game. Although Iowa lost to South Carolina, the final game of the women's tournament drew more viewers than the men's for the first time, thanks largely to Clark's performance.

According to data from YouGov Profiles, Caitlin Clark received a positive rating from 42% of US adults, making her a notable figure among both male and female fans. Among men, 49% viewed her positively, while 33% of women did the same. This places her in a strong position, especially considering the competition. LeBron James and Stephen Curry topped the list, with 50% and 47% positive ratings overall, respectively. Clark, however, outperformed other well-known players like Kevin Durant, who had a 40% overall rating, and Nikola Jokic, who had a 31% rating.

Clark's popularity, especially among men, highlights her broad appeal and significant impact on the sport. As she begins her professional career, her influence and fan base are expected to grow even further. With her talent and the support, she has garnered, Caitlin Clark is set to make a lasting mark in the world of basketball.

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Methodology: YouGov Profiles is based on continuously collected data and rolling surveys, rather than from a single limited questionnaire. Profiles data for the US is nationally representative and weighted by age, gender, education, region, and race.

Cover photo by Marca