Tale of the tape: How Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston, two best players in women's basketball, stack up

The national semifinal between Iowa and South Carolina is being billed as “Aliyah vs. Caitlin,” and with good reason. Aliyah Boston, the South Carolina forward, and Caitlin Clark, the Iowa guard, have been the best players in college basketball the last two seasons, spawning superlatives and earning national accolades.

Seeing them play each other is on every fan’s wish list, making Friday night’s game arguably the most anticipated of the Final Four – men’s or women’s.

“People compare Caitlin to Aliyah and I think it’s apples and oranges,” Iowa coach Lisa Bluder said Thursday. “They are completely different players, they play completely different positions. They’re both great at what they do, but what they do is completely different.”

Here’s a closer look at the game’s most transcendent players:

Aliyah Boston, South Carolina

Senior

Forward, 6-foot-5

By the numbers: 13.2 points per game, 9.8 rebounds, 2.0 blocks

Of note: National defensive player of the year for a second consecutive season. … Consensus national player of the year in 2022. … Led South Carolina to national title in 2022 and was named Most Outstanding Player of Final Four. … Holds South Carolina record for double-doubles (82), rebounds (1,483) and consecutive games started (137), and is second in bocks (329). … Averages 15.3 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.8 blocks in 51 career games against ranked teams. … Projected No. 1 pick in WNBA Draft.

Caitlin Clark, Iowa

Junior

Guard, 6-foot

By the numbers: 27.3 points per game, 8.6 assists, 7.3 rebounds

Of note: Consensus national player of the year in 2023. … Leads nation in assists (311), assists per game (8.6), 3-pointers (127), 3-pointers per game (3.53) and triple-doubles (five). … Had 41 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists in Elite Eight win over Louisville, the first player in NCAA Tournament history with a 40-point triple-double. … Dished out a record 17 assists on way to recording the first triple-double in a Big Ten championship game.

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Follow Nancy Armour on Twitter @nrarmour

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston in Final Four showdown: tale of the tape