Iowa's Caitlin Clark focused on Sweet 16, deflects Big3 talk - ESPN

ALBANY, N.Y. — Iowa women's basketball star Caitlin Clark doesn't have the potential of a $5 million dollar offer on her mind. Her thoughts are only on the Hawkeyes and their upcoming Sweet 16 opponent, Colorado.

Clark's Hawkeyes are the No. 1 seed in the Albany 2 Region, and face the No. 5 seed Buffaloes at MVP Arena on Saturday (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC). Iowa is hoping to make the Final Four for the second year in a row.

Wednesday, Ice Cube confirmed via social media that Clark had been offered $5 million to play in his Big3 league. Friday at Iowa's news conference, Clark was asked about it.

«I found out about the Big3 thing the same exact time you all did,» Clark said of the release of that information on social media. «I honestly don't talk about those things with really anybody. I have other people that deal with it, and they haven't said a word to me about it. My main focus is on this team and helping us find a way to beat Colorado and hopefully win another one after that.»

Ice Cube wrote on social media site X Wednesday, «We intended the offer to remain private while Caitlin Clark plays for the championship. But I won't deny what's now already out there: BIG3 made a historic offer to Caitlin Clark. Why wouldn't we? Caitlin is a generational athlete who can achieve tremendous success in the BIG3.

»The skeptics laughed when we made Nancy Lieberman the first female coach of a men's pro team, and she won the championship in her first year. Then Lisa Leslie won it all in year two. With our offer, Caitlin Clark can make history and break down even more barriers for women athletes."

The WNBA has prioritization rules in its collective bargaining agreement, which can affect some players who participate in overseas leagues. But