Bronny James and Caitlin Clark have had vastly different collegiate experiences.Lapresse

Actualizado 09/04/2024 – 12:09 CDT

No woman has ever played in the NBA — but Caitlin Clark sure is making a lot of people wonder if that’s where she belongs.

Clark will be the #1 overall pick in next Monday’s WNBA Draft, but some — including FOX Sports personality Skip Bayless — would take her in the NBA Draft ahead of one of the most highly-touted prospects in years: Bronny James, the son of LeBron James. It is the latest indication that Clark’s game-changing ability has, for better or worse, altered basketball analysis in the United States, as the top female players close the gap with their male counterparts.

Angel Reese reposts vengeful video toward Caitlin Clark on TikTok

Bronny keeping his options open

In contrast to Clark’s incredible collegiate career — capped with consecutive championship game appearances for Iowa — James has had a more turbulent time in the NCAA. The 19-year-old started only six games in a difficult freshman season, which began with a cardiac arrest last summer that nearly took his life. James has since entered the transfer portal, but he is also draft-eligible after submitting his name for consideration.

However, despite his father’s status as arguably the NBA’s greatest player, James is unlikely to be drafted — and certainly not in the first round. He averaged only 4.8 points across 19.3 minutes per game and was not a regular starter on a struggling USC team this season — hence, why he is prepared to transfer.

Clark has been a game-changer

By contrast, Clark’s dominance at Iowa brought excitement to women’s basketball that has not been seen in the 21st century. Her Hawkeyes broke ratings records throughout the recently-concluded NCAA Tournament, which culminated in 18.7 million viewers watching the national final between Iowa and the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Clark, the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer and a two-time Naismith Player of the Year, has recently drawn comparisons to NBA greats like Stephen Curry for her limitless 3-point range and her knack for scoring on incredible shots that few others would try. Her boundless confidence has changed how seriously many take the women’s game, although comparisons to the NBA are fallacious in nature.