Vitale assures that it is unfair not to consider her as the GOAT just because she does not have a title on her showcase.

stablishing who is the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) in any sport is a titanic undertaking.

NCAA women’s basketball is no exception, especially now that Caitlin Clark is leaving her mark in the history books, leading multiple analysts to exchange arguments or, sometimes, criticism.

Such is the case of legendary commentator Dick Vitale, who recently vehemently refuted ESPN analyst Jay Williams’ claims about whether or not the Iowa Hawkeyes guard deserves the GOAT label.

Williams has remained one of Clark’s staunchest critics. On more than one occasion, the analyst has said he does not consider her to be the GOAT.

In a recent comment, Williams reiterated that until Clark brings a championship to the University of Iowa’s showcases, she does not deserve the GOAT title.

“I hear people talking about GOATS. For me, I’m like, ‘OK, you wanna be a GOAT. Fine. There’s level of greatness. You gotta win championships to be GOATS…Championships. That’s how we measure greatness overall,'” said the analyst.

Dick Vitale’s response

On the contrary, the veteran ESPN and ABC commentator considered championships are not the only yardstick to measure a player’s greatness. Vitale recalled other cases of great athletes who have retired without achieving a championship but still deserve to be considered GOAT candidates.

“Recently, there has been debate about being the GOAT as it related to @CaitlinClark22. Look, I RESPECT the views of others, but I do not think it is FAIR to eliminate someone who doesn’t win a championship,”Vitale said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

He recalled that teams win championships, not a single player: “Championships r won by strong, talented TEAMS. I always felt that WILT C (Chamberlain) & many others don’t get a fair shake. He didn’t play with a HOF roster ala the Celtics.”

The case of Caitlin Clark

Clark led the Hawkeyes to the NCAA Division I championship game last year. However, they suffered a painful defeat at the hands of the LSU Tigers led by forward Angel Reese.

Despite the loss, the Iowa guard already holds the women’s record for most career points after breaking Kelsey Plum’s mark of 3,527 points. Clark also is on track to break the men’s record of 3,667 that Pete Maravich set in 1970.

Still two games ahead of her in her final NCAA regular season and with 3,617 points on her tally, Caitlin has the overall record within her grasp. If she accomplishes the feat, it would be impossible not to include her on the shortlist for the GOAT, with or without a title on her record.