Zagklis, speaking at a press conference before the World Cup Final against France, called Clark one of the biggest stars of her generation and predicted that the popularity of the women's basketball players could surpass the men's at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.Caitlin Clark during the Women's FIBA World Cup 2026 between the U.S.and China on Sept.
4, 2026, in Berlin, Germany.(NurPhoto)"I think what these players, Caitlin, one of them, have done in increasing the popularity of the women's game is incredible.
We should feel very proud about them.And I can tell you, me and my team have been supportive of what USA Basketball and each and every national member federation coming into the World Cup had planned for their promotion.
And we tried to amplify that experience.They themselves, the players said this is a unique moment for them," Zagklis said.THE PREDOMINANT BASKETBALL DYNASTY ON EARTH IS AT STAKE AS AMERICA'S EYES TURN TO CAITLIN CLARK'S ROLECaitlin Clark and USA head coach Kara Lawson are seen during the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 quarterfinals match between the United States and Hungary in Berlin, Germany, on Sept.
10, 2026.(NurPhoto via Getty Images)"So while I may not be able to quantify the answer and give you exact numbers, but our team perhaps can do that after the tournament, I can tell you that the popularity of our women's game, of Caitlin as one of the biggest stars, not the biggest star of this generation has done.
We see this with Iyana Martin from Spain, MVP of the under-19 in 2023.And she signed a big sponsorship agreement herself just with a FIBA partner two days before the tournament."So players around the world are picking up these opportunities.
And I'm extremely proud of them.And I can tell you, I do believe that in the Los Angeles Olympics, our female players may be at the same or even higher level of popularity than many of our former male players.
And this is not a criticism to anybody.It's just a result of the collecti...