No..... but he still would have been massive, because he's done something Caitlin never has.... won. He won at the amateur level and directly as a young pro. His resume' speaks for itself and yes, he changed the game with his athleticism turning your grandfather's game into something hipper, cooler, and better thought of. His cultural roots make him an amazing American fairy tale in some senses and nightmare in others, but he still would have been huge. Maybe 95% of the attention he got, which was utter craziness.
Maybe Catilin is more like Gerry Cooney in the 80's..... the great white hope. Back in those days, you could just say it. A sport dominated by black athletes for decades and people turned Cooney, who was an awkward, mildly talented, Long Islander into some cartoon character, like he alone was protecting white, blue collar America. It was more fleeting especially after he got crushed by Larry Holmes, but the same thing would apply if there was an American hooper like Caitlin. All the whiteys praying for another Larry Bird. I'm looking for a pajaro Larry!!!! That would be cool.
Clark deserves all her flowers. It's just not that she's white, there have been other white lady hoopers, it's that her game is fresh (ironic that now it's getting blowback) in the women's game like Steph's was 15 years ago AND she's white. She also handles herself with the grace and intelligence of someone who is older and wiser. That's refreshing. People need to cut her some slack and enjoy her game, it's a good one.