Legendary Notre Dame Coach Commends Caitlin Clark for Elevating Women’s Basketball

Notre Dame coaching icon Muffet McGraw was not hesitant to praise Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark's impact on the game.

Apr 7, 2019; Tampa, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Muffet McGraw reacts on the sidelines against the Baylor Lady Bears during the second half in the championship game of the women's Final Four of the 2019 NCAA Tournament at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images | Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images

Caitlin Clark’s impact on women’s basketball has been nothing short of historic.

During her time as an Iowa Hawkeye, the college superstar not only set the NCAA Division I all-time scoring record—across both men's and women's basketball—but also shattered viewership records. When Iowa faced off against South Carolina in the 2024 NCAA Championship game, it averaged 18.7 million viewers, making it the most-watched women’s basketball game in history.

Clark’s transition into the WNBA has been no different. She continues to set records and elevate the visibility of women's hoops, creating an unprecedented ripple effect. And some of the legends who helped build the foundation of the women’s game are taking notice.

Muffet McGraw, former head coach of Notre Dame women’s basketball, is one of them. Over her 33-year tenure from 1987 to 2020, McGraw built Notre Dame into a powerhouse, cementing her place as one of the greatest coaches in basketball history.

Attending the Naismith Awards on April 2, McGraw was asked whether she ever imagined women’s basketball becoming this popular. Her response: “Women my age all dreamed this would be possible, and when Caitlin Clark came on the scene quite a few years ago, she made it all happen. I think we owe her quite a lot.”

“When Caitlin Clark came on the scene a few years ago she made it all happen. I think we owe her quite a lot.”

Legendary coach Muffet McGraw reflects on the incredible rise of women’s basketball and the impact of Caitlin Clark (our 2023 & 2024 @jerseymikes Naismith Women’s POY)… pic.twitter.com/bV3WLsRVaf

— Naismith Awards (@NaismithTrophy) April 3, 2025

McGraw isn’t alone in her admiration. WNBA legend Lisa Leslie echoed the sentiment in an interview with USA Today Sports, stating, “We can’t deny what Caitlin Clark has done for the women’s game... have we ever had teams need larger arenas?”

Her remarks highlight the surging demand for tickets, as multiple WNBA teams have already moved their games against the Fever to bigger venues to accommodate fan interest in what’s quickly becoming the hottest ticket in sports.

lisa leslie on national tv games:
“we can’t deny what caitlin clark has done for the women’s game...have we ever had teams need larger arenas?...are we gonna get upset about 5, 6, 10 games less on tv?...we have access to these games now in a way that we’d never had before.” pic.twitter.com/k2dbLOmQPp

— cc akgae (@clrkszn) March 29, 2025

With the WNBA’s lengthy eight-month offseason, you’d expect her impact to fade some—but it has only built more anticipation for what’s ahead. Backed by legends of the game and a rapidly growing fanbase, Caitlin Clark’s legacy as a transformative figure in women’s basketball history is already taking shape.