CLEVELAND — She left the court for the final time, her head held high.

She left a court that bears no resemblance to the one she first walked onto at Iowa.

She left as a tall tale, standing 6-feet tall, tattooed on the hearts and minds of millions.

Iowa's Caitlin Clark reacts during the loss to South Carolina.
Iowa’s Caitlin Clark reacts during the loss to South Carolina.Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
She left as the most influential and popular player her sport has ever seen, a collegiate collage of Babe Ruth, Bobby Orr, Steph Curry and Salvador Dali, redefining the unimaginable

She left wanting more.

Caitlin Clark’s celebrated run at Iowa ended Sunday without a national championship, as the Hawkeyes were unable to replicate last year’s upset of unbeaten South Carolina, falling 87-75 in the title game at a sold-out Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

Dawn Staley celebrates after South Carolina completed a perfect season.
Dawn Staley celebrates after South Carolina completed a perfect season.