The WNBA is looking toward a brighter future with a mega CBA deal, two additional franchises, and a 30th-anniversary season. Amid this, the league already saw a massive surge in fan following and, subsequently, sponsorships. Recently, Cathy Engelbert credited Caitlin Clark for transforming the game in general.
While the Clark reacted positively to the WNBA-CBA deal, she recently faced huge admiration for her influence on the college and WNBA basketball.
Jalen Rose Praises Caitlin Clark For Her Impact On College Basketball and WNBA
The NCAA Final Four games are in Indiana, and Fever guard was on a panel with Jalen Rose and Kansas guard Darryn Peterson discussing the high-profile games. Former Pacers’ star took the opportunity to get his feelings across, praising the 2024 rookie for her impact.
“How you’ve changed the game not only collegiately but professionally, and how disciplined you are, how professional you are, how well you respect your teammates, how you’re all about winning — that’s to be admired,” Rose said after recalling her Iowa Hawkeyes performances.
Jalen Rose introduces Caitlin Clark to the audience. Points out a lot of her logo 3s came against Michigan; praises the impact she’s had on the growth of women’s sports. pic.twitter.com/tOdVTSIhlB
— hank 🇰🇷 (@Brian_Haenchen) April 3, 2026
The NCAA also used the former Clark alongside Magic Johnson and Charles Barkley for the March Madness games.
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Jalen Rose mentioned that has already been said about the former Iowa star a million times before, but the player herself never intended to be ‘that’ individual who takes the game and WNBA to the next level, and it happened naturally, as she said during her appearance on the NBC network.
Caitlin Clark ‘Never Meant’ To Be The Difference Maker
During her visit to an Indiana high school, CC spoke about enjoying the game, and that’s what she did when she took basketball as her profession. But her infectious joy quickly caught up with fans, and she became the megastar fans love now. During her recent appearance on NBC’s NBA pregame show, she spoke about her impact on the game.
“I honestly think I’m just very much myself. That’s how I try to approach it. I’m not here. This was never my goal to change women’s sports. Like I just showed up and I played and I loved every single second of it. And, I feel a responsibility to show up and put a smile on everybody’s face that buys a ticket and comes and watches us play,” Clark said on the NBC network.
Caitlin on her role in the growth of women’s sports
— correlation (@nosyone4) March 29, 2026
“This was never my goal to change women’s sports. I just showed up and I played and I loved every single second of it. I feel a responsibility to show up and put a smile on everybody’s face that buys a ticket.” pic.twitter.com/FboReds2Ma
The player played in just 13 games in the 2025 season and will be looking to make a bigger impact in the 2026 season.