Kareem Copeland

As the Mystics open training camp to prepare for the upcoming WNBA season, they move forward without a few mainstays from recent years.

To the surprise of no one, Caitlin Clark, college basketball’s all-time leading scorer after a remarkable four-year career at Iowa, was taken with the No. 1 pick.

The U-Conn. star has pedigree and size, giving the Mystics a formidable front line as they undertake a roster retooling.

South Carolina beat Iowa, 87-75, to win its third NCAA women’s basketball championship and finish its season a perfect 38-0.

An average of 14.2 million people watched Iowa beat Connecticut on Friday night in the Final Four.

Raven Johnson went viral during the Final Four last year when Caitlin Clark didn’t bother to defend her. Now Johnson is ready for a rematch in the national final.

NCAA showcase events, along with a strong push from the NBA and WNBA, have fueled a strong push to make the game global.

Clark had 41 points, 12 assists, seven rebounds and two steals as the Hawkeyes avenged their loss from last year’s championship game.

Iowa beat Colorado and LSU beat UCLA in region semifinals Saturday to set up a national championship game rematch Monday night in the Elite Eight.

Women’s basketball is increasing in popularity, and its future NCAA tournament regional sites could reflect that.