Megan Rapinoe praises 'incredible' women's basketball after Monday's Iowa-LSU game posted stunning 12.3m viewing figures: 'I am not shocked... we are ALL better off because of you'

Megan Rapinoe took to Instagram late Tuesday night to praise the 'incredible' interest the LSU-Iowa Elite Eight clash, as it posted a viewership of 12.3MILLION, the most-watched women's college basketball game of all-time.  

The Hawkeyes win over the Tigers was the also the most-watched ESPN college basketball game ever and outdrew every MLB, NHL, and MLS game last season. 

Caitlin Clark scoring 41 points to help Iowa get back to its second-straight final four also had a bigger audience than every NBA game last season except one and every college football regular season game last season except one.  

'Dear Women's Basketball, I, Personally, am not shocked. And STILL, this is the most (incredible thing) to see,' Rapinoe said on Instagram. 'We don't deserve women's basketball.'

'Thank you to all of you; college players and W players and all of them past and present,' Rapinoe continued, also giving a shoutout to partner and basketball legend Sue Bird. 'We are ALL better off because of you. You all deserve this moment so deeply. Love, Megan.' 

Rapinoe sat courtside at a Brooklyn Nets game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese dazzled in a phenomenal display for women's basketball

Clark is in the stretch run of her college career, as she has declared for the 2024 WNBA Draft and is likely to be chosen No 1 overall by the Indiana Fever.  

Reese has not declared her future intentions, but if she does not return to the LSU, she is likely a top-3 WNBA Draft selection. 

Rapinoe is an American soccer legend who won two World Cups with the United States women's national team.  

The former Ballon d'Or retired from soccer last year after a final World Cup appearance and finishing out the National Women's Soccer League season with the OL Reign.  

Rapinoe's post comes a few days after she called out Korbin Albert, a current USWNT women's player for an anti-LGBT TikTok post. 

Albert shared a re-post on TikTok of a Christian worship space discussing how being gay and 'feeling transgender' is wrong.

Rapinoe's Instagram post thanking the efforts of women's basketball players on Tuesday 

Rapinoe posted a critical message on her Instagram story in response that did not directly name Albert but she later confirmed to The Athletic that she was the intended recipient. 

Rapinoe wrote: 'To the people who want to hide behind "my beliefs" I would just ask one question, are you making any time of space safer, more inclusive, more whole, any semblance of better, bringing the best out of anyone? … because if you aren't all you believe in is hate.

'And Kids are literally killing themselves because of this hate. Wake TF up! Yours Truly, #15.'

Albert, who currently wear's Rapinoe's old No 15 for the USWNT, later apologized on social media.  

'I want to sincerely apologize for my actions on social media,' Albert said. 'Liking and sharing posts that are offensive, insensitive and hurtful was immature and disrespectful which was never my intent.'

'I'm really disappointed in myself and am deeply sorry for the hurt that I have caused to my teammates, other players, fans, friends and anyone who was offended,' Albert continued.