A New Era Of Women’s College Basketball: Female Athletes Making History In The 2024 NCAA Tournament

As the highly anticipated annual NCAA Tournament comes to an end, one thing has been made clear: women are ruling March Madness. 

It's been a wild ride this season for NCAA women's basketball, and as we approach the Final Four, it's only getting better. Women's college basketball has become a particularly popular topic of conversation this season, and the reason is obvious: these young female athletes are completely redefining women's sports. 

If you haven't heard the name Caitlin Clark by now, crawl out from under your rock because this is a name you won't soon forget. Clark, the University of Iowa's guard, has become the star of women's college basketball, captivating viewers' attention nationwide. As she plays her senior year, Clark is determined to get a national championship under her belt after watching it slip through her fingers in 2023, and she's done nothing but prove herself worthy. Wednesday, Clark earned Naismith Women's College Player of the Year, and Thursday was honored as Associated Press Player of the Year in women's basketball, both for a second consecutive year. This is no surprise, as just this season Clark became the all-time leading scorer in all of NCAA Division 1 basketball, also boasting an average of 7.3 RPG (rebounds per game) and 9.0 APG (assists per game).

Images Courtesy: Bri Lewerke via Instagram

Monday, Clark and the Hawkeyes were victorious in an exciting rematch against the LSU Tigers, who beat Iowa in the NCAA National Championship in 2023. "I sure am glad you're leaving," LSU coach Kim Mulkey recalled saying to Clark after the game. "Girl, you something else. I've never seen anything like it," Mulkey said. The game broke records as the most-watched women's basketball game in history, averaging 12.4 million viewers on ESPN. It was the most watched college basketball game ever on ESPN, including both men's and women's.

Clark held up under pressure in a face-off against Angel Reese, LSU's star forward. Clark and Reese have been pitted against each other for some time now, two women with an insane amount of talent. Reese, a junior at LSU, spent the season looking to defend the NCAA Championship title after leading her team to victory against Iowa last year. While she and the Tigers failed to defeat the Hawkeyes this time around, Reese has had an impressive season. Averaging 18.6 points and 13.4 rebounds per game, Reese danced her way to the Elite Eight for the second season in a row. Reese was also named the 2024 SEC Player of the Year. 

Image Courtesy: Vogue / Myles Loftin

Reese is known for her grit and attitude, an unapologetic trash-talker who’s become known as the “Bayou Barbie.” Because of this, Reese has dealt with a large amount of criticism, but according to teammate Hailey Van Lith, she keeps her head up through it all. "Y'all do not get to her. Let me say it again. Y'all do not get to Angel Reese," Van Lith said. 

"It's just a super competitive game," Reese said prior to their match-up against Iowa, according to the New York Times. "I just wish people would realize that. Once I get between those lines, there's no friends." Reese has shown nothing but support for Clark off the court, congratulating her via X (formally known as Twitter) following Clark's achievement as the all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division 1 basketball and even sharing a hug with her after Monday's intense game. "Go win it," Reese said to Clark during their embrace. It's evident that Reese is passionate about elevating women's basketball, adding, "I'll take the villain role. I'll take the hit for it. But I know we're growing women's basketball. If this is the way we're going to do it, then this is the way we're going to do it. You either like it or you don't."

After LSU's loss on Monday, it was still up in the air whether Reese was going to play for the Tigers for one more year or head into the WNBA draft. "I'll make a decision when I'm ready," Reese said in response to questions about the future of her basketball career. Despite what Reese told the press, it seemed that she had already made her decision. Wednesday, Reese declared for the WNBA draft via a Vogue photoshoot and exclusive interview.

Images Courtesy: Vogue / Myles Loftin

"I've done everything I wanted to in college," Reese said in the Vogue exclusive. "I've won a national championship, I've gotten [Southeastern Conference] Player of the Year, I've been an All-American. My ultimate goal is to be a pro—and to be one of the greatest basketball players to play, ever. I feel like I'm ready."

Image Courtesy: Matt Bayerowski via Insatgram

While Reese prepares for the WNBA draft, Clark gets ready for her face-off against UConn in the Final Four, a game that will have viewers across the country on the edge of their seats. Clark goes up against guard Paige Bueckers – a force to be reckoned with. After the Huskies' win against Syracuse in the second round of the NCAA tournament, UConn coach Geno Auriemma described Bueckers as "the best player in America." Bueckers, the 2021 Naismith Women's College Player of the Year, has had a great defensive season, averaging 9.0 RPG during this year's tournament, and has had at least three steals in all four tournament games. Bueckers' defensive performance for the Huskies will prove to be a challenge for Iowa, which was evident in UConn's Elite Eight game against the USC Trojans. 

Trojans' freshman guard, Juju Watkins, gave Bueckers a run for her money, putting up 29 points on the Huskies Monday night. Watkins has been named the WBCA Freshman of the Year,  averaging 27 points per game this season, falling second behind the one and only Caitlin Clark. Although Watkins and the Trojans suffered a defeat against UConn, Watkins broke the single-season freshman scoring record during the game, scoring 920 points this season. Watkins led USC to its first Elite Eight appearance in 30 years, proving her superstar athletic potential. Although Watkins' season is over after USC's loss to UConn, this freshman has ample time to show the world what she can do. Her successful first college season with the Trojans has led many to believe that she could very easily become the heir to Clark's throne in the coming years. 

Image Courtesy: Steph Chambers/Getty Images

Iowa and UConn are not the only ones to watch; in another particularly exciting game, NC State's star guard Saniya Rivers will face off against her previous team, South Carolina. South Carolina is on a 36-win streak and has not lost a single game this season.

Uncertainty looms as the women's NCAA Tournament continues Friday in the Final Four. Will South Carolina continue their win streak and dance their way to the NCAA Championship, or will Saniya Rivers and the Wolfpack prove their worth to Rivers' ex-teammates? Will Clark lead Iowa back to the NCAA Championship, or will they succumb to Bueckers' and the Huskies' impeccable defensive talent? The teams who walk away victorious after Friday will compete to win it all Sunday, and there is really only one question that matters: who wants it most? 

Clark, Reese, Bueckers, Watkins, and Rivers are just a few sharks in an ocean of insane athletic ability that is today's women's college basketball. These players are showing the world what female athletes are capable of through their determination, unapologetic emotion, pure talent, and devotion to the game they play. Not only are these women playing a hell of a game of basketball, they are showing grace, respect, and support for one another. Each athlete uplifts and celebrates the other, which is admirable and simply enjoyable to watch. We have entered a new era of women's basketball, and if you're not tuning in, you're missing out on history in the making. 

Strike Out, 

Morgan Harms 

Boca Raton

Morgan Harms is a Content Writer for Strike Magazine Boca. She is a Pisces mermaid with a love for the ocean. She spends her free time daydreaming, wave-watching and blasting whatever music she’s into that day. You can reach her by email at morganjharms@gmail.com or on Instagram @morganjharms.