LOS ANGELES - Caitlin Clark believes the excitement surrounding her trail-blazing college basketball career heralds a bright future for women’s sport in the United States as she prepares to join the professional ranks of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA).

The 22-year-old Iowa phenomenon signed off from collegiate sport on April 7 with a disappointing 87-75 defeat to South Carolina in the national championship game in Cleveland.