Caitlin Clark: Paige Spiranac hits out at Iowa star's critics as golf influencer claims 'women can be absolutely vicious to other women'

Paige Spiranac has leapt to Caitlin Clark's defense over the 'absolutely vicious' hate directed towards the Iowa sensation.

Clark, widely considered one of the greatest college basketball players of all time, failed to end her Iowa career on a high after losing 87-75 to South Carolina in Sunday night's NCAA Championship game.

Despite setting countless NCAA records over the course of the season, and now preparing to enter this year's WNBA Draft, the 22-year-old has been subjected to criticism by current and former players as well as fans on social media.

Phoenix Mercury star Diana Taurasi recently warned Clark that 'reality is coming' ahead of her move into the WNBA, while Las Vegas Aces' Kelsey Plum also mocked her tendency to shoot deep 3-pointers.

Kansas Jayhawks legend Lynette Woodard, meanwhile, insisted over the weekend she has not beaten her NCAA scoring record after pointing out that she played with a men's basketball and could only shoot for 2-pointers in her time.

Paige Spiranac has leapt to Caitlin Clark's defense over the 'vicious' hate directed towards her

Clark has received criticism in recent weeks despite being one of the all-time college greats

Spiranac claims the hate she has received is a case of women being 'absolutely vicious' to other women

However, Spiranac has hit out at Clark's critics while claiming that women are often 'absolutely vicious' to other women.

'The hate towards Caitlin Clark from current and former players is disappointing but not surprising,' the golf influencer, who boasts seven million followers across her various social-media channels, wrote on X.

'Women can be absolutely vicious to other women while also preaching empowering the next generation. I’ve seen it first hand but we must remember a rising tide lifts all boats'.

Clark, the likely No 1 overall pick in next week's WNBA Draft, admitted 'emotions will hit me' after her final college game for Iowa ended in defeat and a finish as national runners-up for the second season in a row.  

Her Instagram story was a shot of the back of her yellow and black No 22 jersey, which will surely be worn by no other Hawkeye and retired in Iowa City. 

Clark scored 30 points in her final college game, with 18 coming in the first quarter against the Gamecocks. 

The 22-year-old is now destined for the WNBA but was on the verge of tears while speaking to reporters after losing her second NCAA championship game in a row

'I think for me the emotions will probably hit me over the next couple of days and I don't have much time to sit around and sulk and be upset,' she said after the loss to South Carolina. 

'I don't think that's what I'm about either,' Clark added. 'Yeah, I'm sad we lost this game, but I'm also so proud of myself, I'm so proud of my teammates, I'm so proud of this program. There's a lot to be proud of.'

'But there's going to be tears. It is sad this is all over and it is sad this is the last time I'm going to put on an Iowa jersey,' Clark continued. '... Basically anybody other than me and coach (Lisa) Bluder never thought this was possible.'