Cooper DeJean, a former Iowa football standout and current Philadelphia Eagles draft pick, recently spoke about his challenge to Caitlin Clark on the basketball court. DeJean had previously stated that he believed he could beat Clark one-on-one, despite her being a talented basketball player who recently became the all-time leading scorer in Division 1 college basketball. Clark responded to DeJean’s comments by texting him and expressing her doubt that he could defeat her on the court. DeJean acknowledged Clark’s skills but still believes it would be fun to play against her.
DeJean, who was a standout high school basketball player at OABCIG High School in Iowa, scored 1,832 points during his varsity career. This total was more than NBA player Harrison Barnes scored in Iowa during his career. Despite choosing the football route over basketball, DeJean believes he still has the skills to compete on the basketball court. While there is no set date for their potential one-on-one matchup, DeJean expressed his admiration for Clark’s impact on women’s basketball and the University of Iowa.
During an interview with Kay Adams on her show “Up and Adams,” DeJean shared his perspective on the challenge he presented to Clark and her response. Adams initially doubted DeJean’s ability to defeat Clark but acknowledged his basketball highlights showed some skill. DeJean reiterated his respect for Clark and the impact she has had on women’s basketball. He emphasized that he sees the matchup as a fun opportunity to compete against an accomplished athlete like Clark.
Despite Clark being selected as the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever and on the verge of making her regular-season debut, DeJean remains interested in potentially facing her on the basketball court. He recognizes Clark’s achievements and contributions to the sport and views the potential matchup as an exciting challenge. DeJean’s background as a multi-sport athlete, with experience in both football and basketball, has prepared him for the competition, even against a player of Clark’s caliber.
DeJean’s willingness to engage in a friendly competition with Clark showcases his confidence in his abilities on the basketball court. While Clark may have expressed doubts about DeJean’s chances of winning a one-on-one matchup, he remains eager for the opportunity to play against her. DeJean’s background as a talented high school basketball player and current NFL draft pick adds intrigue to the possible showdown between him and Clark, highlighting the crossover between football and basketball in his athletic career.
As the potential for a one-on-one matchup between DeJean and Clark continues to capture attention, fans of both football and basketball eagerly anticipate the outcome of this friendly challenge. Clark’s success in college basketball and upcoming professional debut in the WNBA adds an exciting element to the matchup, while DeJean’s background as a multi-sport athlete brings versatility to his game. Regardless of the final result, the friendly competition between DeJean and Clark serves as a testament to the mutual respect and camaraderie shared among athletes across different sports realms.
