LeBron James says a key factor driving the NCAA women’s basketball tournament’s skyrocketing popularity: the presence of recognizable stars.
Following his Los Angeles Lakers’ victory over Washington, James emphasized that the women’s game stands on par with the men’s, particularly highlighting the allure of its standout players. “I don’t think there’s much difference between the men’s and women’s game when it comes to college basketball,” he remarked. “I think the popularity comes in the icons that they have in the women’s game.”
James pointed to a roster of rising stars, including Angel Reese, JuJu Watkins, Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Audi Crooks of Iowa State, Hannah Hidalgo of Notre Dame, and Cameron Brink of Stanford, among others. He contrasted the men’s game, where the transfer portal and early NBA draft departures often hinder players from establishing a lasting presence in fans’ minds.
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In James’ view, the women’s college basketball landscape allows players to forge iconic legacies at their programs, a sentiment echoed by Caitlin Clark. The Iowa standout expressed gratitude for James’ vocal support, noting his genuine commitment to the sport’s growth and his substantial influence as “one of the greatest players of all time.”
For Clark, playing her final collegiate games in the same arena where James began his NBA career holds special significance. “He’s somebody I’ve always idolized,” she reflected. “It’s cool to be in Cleveland and play here, a place where his career started, and he was able to do so many amazing things.”
This year’s tournament has seen remarkable viewership, with the recent clash between Clark’s Iowa and Reese’s LSU in the regional final becoming the most-watched women’s college basketball game on record. Drawing an average of 12.3 million viewers on ESPN, the game surpassed all but one of the five games in last year’s NBA Finals and the final game of the 2023 World Series, highlighting the growing appeal and visibility of women’s basketball.
