Caitlin Clark is capping her illustrious college career with another record-breaking season and another set of prestigious awards.
The star guard from Iowa was honored Thursday as The Associated Press Player of the Year in women’s basketball for the second consecutive year.
Clark received 35 votes from the 36-member national media panel that votes on the AP Top 25 each week. Cameron Brink of Stanford received the other vote. Voting was done before March Madness began.
The 22-year-old Clark is the sixth player to win the award more than once and fifth to do it in consecutive seasons.
BEST OF THE BEST: Caitlin Clark wins second Naismith National Player of the Year award
The NCAA Division I career scoring leader set numerous records while helping Iowa reach the Final Four for a second consecutive season. A semifinal matchup with UConn awaits on Friday night in Cleveland.
Clark’s play with her logo-depth 3-pointers and dazzling passes has captured the hearts of fans who showed up by the thousands wearing her No. 22 jersey whether Iowa was at home or on the road all season.
“I think that’s the best part about what I get to do. I grew up having those role models and aspiring to be where I am today,” Clark said. “It’s super special to see your impact not only in the state of Iowa but across the country. … To be able to have that impact on the next generation is really special, and you just hope to dream and aspire to be like you one day and chase after all their dreams.”
Opposing coaches have called her a generational talent and tried to stifle her creativity and scoring, but she averaged 31.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.9 assists during the regular season to help Iowa go 29-4 and earn a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Her games have become appointment viewing for millions — the Elite Eight rematch with LSU earlier this week was seen by more than 12 million, a record for any women’s college basketball game — and raised the profile of the sport even higher as it enjoys a surge in popularity. She is the presumptive No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft later this month, a slot held by the Indiana Fever.
Clark has been quick to credit her teammates and coach, and note that the women’s game had stars like Lynette Woodard and Pearl Moore and many others long before she started dazzling fans in an era where scores of games are easily found on TV every season.
Her college career will be come to an end this weekend and it has been quite a ride for the West Des Moines native.
“I feel like I’ve talked about her, like used every word imaginable to describe her,” coach Lisa Bluder said. “She is spectacular. I don’t know how else to describe what she does on the basketball court.”
News
Efforts to Ensure People “Live in Peace, Work in Prosperity”
To date, after many years of implementing the National Target Program for New Rural Development (NRD), Nậm Hàng Commune (Nậm Nhùn District) has achieved 11 out of 19 NRD criteria, with 8 criteria still unmet, including the criterion for…
“Fragrant Homes, Clean Alleys, Beautiful Streets”
In recent times, various movements, campaigns, innovative models, and practical actions have successfully mobilized the collective strength of the community to spread the message “fragrant homes, clean alleys, beautiful streets” across the province. This initiative has significantly enhanced the…
Enhancing the Quality of New Rural Development Criteria
Currently, Tam Đường District is focusing on improving the criteria in eight communes that have already achieved New Rural Development (NRD) status. The district has proposed recognizing Sơn Bình Commune as meeting the NRD standards and aims to maintain…
New Rural Development in the Highland Areas of Phìn Hồ Commune
– Phìn Hồ Commune, a highland area in Sìn Hồ District, has faced numerous challenges. However, since the implementation of the National Target Program for New Rural Development (NRD), both the local government and residents have been united in…
National Target Program for New Rural Development in Thu Lũm Commune: Progress and Future Prospects
The National Target Program (NTP) for New Rural Development (NRD) represents a major initiative by the Party and the State of Vietnam. In recent years, Thu Lũm Commune in Mường Tè District has prioritized the dissemination of information as…
The whole stadium broke apart when Taylor Swift repeatedly blew kisses to her boyfriend who was sitting below watching +VIDEO
Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce enjoy their romantic ’87’ moment as Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper cheer on in Paris Taylor Swift performed at her 87th Eras Tour stop in Paris, adding new songs from TTPD to the tracklist while…
End of content
No more pages to load