Could Caitlyn Clark compete with D1 men?

[packs]

I'm only saying I could see her on a roster somewhere in Division 1. There's ASU and there's the New Jersey Institute of Technology, which is also Division 1.

[nolemmings]

Originally Posted by packs

I'm only saying I could see her on a roster somewhere in Division 1. There's ASU and there's the New Jersey Institute of Technology, which is also Division 1.

Maybe on a roster---maybe, if there was a shortage of players or there was some non-athletic reason to have her there. However, I believe the last player on the bench of last-place Podunk U would give the mediocre Bobby Hurley Jr, a better game of one on one than would Caitlyn.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by packs

I'm only saying I could see her on a roster somewhere in Division 1. There's ASU and there's the New Jersey Institute of Technology, which is also Division 1.

Are you seriously saying you think she could defend against a Division 1 male player? Have you seen her?

[packs]

I don't think that would be her specialty, no. Do you not think she's an exceptionally talented basketball player?

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by packs

I don't think that would be her specialty, no. Do you not think she's an exceptionally talented basketball player?

Of course. A phenomenal woman player. That doesn't make her a man. Not a sexist remark in any way, just fact. She doesn't have the strength or speed to play against skilled men at the D1 level. She'd be a huge liability on defense, and would not get open enough on offense to score many points at all.

[packs]

I don't disagree. She's not "the one". I don't think she'd be anything if she did make a Division 1 roster as a bench player. But I could see it happening.

Leilani Armenta kicked for Division 1 Jackson State last year. A lot of people might not have thought a woman would score a point in a Division 1 football game either.

[Gorditadogg]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Of course. A phenomenal woman player. That doesn't make her a man. Not a sexist remark in any way, just fact. She doesn't have the strength or speed to play against skilled men at the D1 level. She'd be a huge liability on defense, and would not get open enough on offense to score many points at all.

Not playing defense is not as disqualifying as it used to be. As far as I can tell, Trae Young hasn't guarded anyone since he joined the NBA and he's still having a good career.

I remember the USWMT soccer team played a high school team maybe 15 years ago. The HS team was I think a select team for the local MLS team (Chicago Fire Juniors?). That HS team's players would have mostly played Division II. The boys won, but the women were competitive, so I think some of the women could have played NCAA men's soccer.

Clark would need to change her game, but I think she could earn a roster spot and some playing time on a college men's team.

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[NiceDocter]

The US women’s national soccer team lost an exhibition game to an Under 15 year old boys team representing just the Dallas area 5-2. Quote was they were “ bigger, stronger, faster” .

[bk400]

Originally Posted by NiceDocter

The US women’s national soccer team lost an exhibition game to an Under 15 year old boys team representing just the Dallas area 5-2. Quote was they were “ bigger, stronger, faster” .

This is an apt comparison. Soccer is a contact sport in a way that is analogous, if not similar to basketball, and the USWNT were arguably the best women's soccer team in the world. That they lost badly to a city-wide team of 15 year olds highlights the strength and speed differences between the sexes.

There is less space on a basketball court relative to a soccer pitch, so quickness and leaping ability in basketball is more important than pure straight line speed, and contact takes place more frequently and is harder to shake. These factors probably accentuate the female disadvantage even more in basketball.

I would take the argument further and say that Caitlyn Clark would struggle 1v1 against the starting, varsity boys shooting guard at any American public high school with an enrollment of more than 1500.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Gorditadogg

Not playing defense is not as disqualifying as it used to be. As far as I can tell, Trae Young hasn't guarded anyone since he joined the NBA and he's still having a good career.

I remember the USWMT soccer team played a high school team maybe 15 years ago. The HS team was I think a select team for the local MLS team (Chicago Fire Juniors?). That HS team's players would have mostly played Division II. The boys won, but the women were competitive, so I think some of the women could have played NCAA men's soccer.

Clark would need to change her game, but I think she could earn a roster spot and some playing time on a college men's team.

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Of course's he's guarding people. If you gave an NBA team a 5-4 advantage on offense at that talent level they would win every game.

[Gorditadogg]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Of course's he's guarding people. If you gave an NBA team a 5-4 advantage on offense at that talent level they would win every game.

Ehhhh. He does come down the court with the rest of the team but I have never seen him without help deter an opponent from taking a direct path to the basket. On occasion he will wave his arms a bit, maybe that's what you are thinking of.