ALBANY — Caitlin Clark has done it like a superstar in any sport. After elevating women’s basketball to unprecedented heights in her two years, she has lifted her team and the entire state of Iowa at the same time.
When the game was over, she dribbled past Iowa 94, LSU 87 in the final seconds, then exchanged jubilant hugs with her teammates, then threw the basketball to her brother, who was standing next to her father in the stands. , behind the Iowa State bench, she posed on the court with her parents and held up a final four-fingered flag before lying on a bed of confetti, the Most Valuable Player trophy on her chest, exhilaration and pursuit. A picture of a dream was drawn. she was captured.
Caitlin Clark returns to Final Four in Cleveland.
At 9:56 p.m., she stood on a ladder, scissors in hand and a big smile on her face as she looked up at the celebrating Iowa State crowd. Cut into small pieces.
We often talk about male athletes who thrive as men’s men.
Well, we should marvel at Caitlin Clark as a woman among girls.
“There were a lot of great players on the floor. She was like, I guess you could say that, a queen of women,” ESPN color analyst Rebecca Lobo told the Post.
The little boys watching were also inspired.
It’s fascinating theater every step of the way, and every time she rains down a 3, every pinpoint pass, it sounds like the entire state of Iowa is inside MVP Arena. Ta.
“I’m not worried about what other teams are doing. I’m not worried about what calls the referees are making. I’m worried about what Iowa needs,” Clark said. “I always had basketball skills. It made me better.”
Even if she hadn’t scored 41 points to avenge the loss to Angel Reese and LSU in last year’s championship game, her legacy would still be intact as a legend.
Resting on her laurels was not an option for her.
Neither lost, nor did they get to play again with their beloved teammates for the school and state they love.
“There could have been no one in the gym and both teams would have played exactly the same,” Clark said.
Much has been made about how she and Reese were women’s basketball versions of Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. In Game 7, Caitlin Clark (9-of-20 from Des Moines, 13-of-29 total, 7 rebounds, 12 assists, 5 turnovers) appeared as both Stephen Curry and Michael Jordan. .
She was an unstoppable force of nature and a cold-blooded assassin who could not be denied.
“Every time a big moment comes, she meets it,” Lobo said. “It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before.”
She’s the face of women’s basketball and a marketer’s delight. Yes, that’s her from the State Farm commercial. She is the all-time leading scorer for women and men in major college basketball history. She is an inspiration to young girls in Iowa and beyond who aspire to become Clark by wearing number 22, and she embraces it all.
Team USA wants her to join. She will be the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft.
I’m glad it’s Caitlin Clark.
“I thought my shots felt good in the warm-up,” she said.
When she hit the 3 that gave Iowa an 80-69 lead, she pounded her chest and looked up at the Iowa fans, elated.
“I think I just got a little excited,” she said, laughing. “Sometimes I get a little excited about myself and do things that I don’t even realize I did. But I think these were the only three times I celebrated.”
Reese (17 points on 7-of-21 shooting, 20 rebounds) sprained his ankle and left the game for several minutes in the second quarter. He fouled out with 1 minute and 45 seconds left. A year ago, she tipped Clark on her ring finger on the way to her national championship. When Clark sank her final two free throws, she sat on the edge of the bench and looked up at the scoreboard. It said Clark 39 — like a point.
“We want to get two more wins and I think we have the ability to do that,” Clark said.
LSU coach Kim Mulkey sent a message to Caitlin Clark saying, “I’m so glad you left.” She added: “I’ve never seen anything like this.”
At a press conference, Rees, teary-eyed and uncertain about his immediate future, told Caitlin Clark: “Please win.”
Who will face Greatlynn Clark?
