Photo Credit: SNL
Caitlin Clark made a surprise appearance on "Saturday Night Live" during the show's "Weekend Update" segment. The Iowa basketball sensation is currently in New York for the upcoming WNBA draft, where she's poised to be the top pick for the Indiana Fever.
Her appearance on the iconic comedy show came after anchor Michael Che cracked a joke about Iowa retiring her jersey. Clark, the NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer, seized the moment, delivering a series of her own jokes poking fun at Che.
She then took a poignant moment to reflect on her basketball journey, expressing gratitude to the trailblazing players who paved the way for her, including Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, Cynthia Cooper, Dawn Staley, and Maya Moore. "I'm sure it will be a big first step for me, but it's just one step for the WNBA thanks to all the great players like Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, Cynthia Cooper, the great Dawn Staley, and my basketball hero, Maya Moore," Clark said. "These are the women that kicked down the door so I could walk inside. So, I want to thank them tonight for laying the foundation."
Later in the show, Clark returned to the stage with her former Hawkeye teammates, Kate Martin, Gabbie Marshall, and Jada Gyamfi.
Clark's appearance on "Saturday Night Live" capped off a whirlwind week for her, following her team's loss in the national championship game. From accepting the prestigious John R. Wooden Award in Los Angeles to rallying with fans back in Iowa, and now being in New York for the WNBA draft, Clark has been on a winning streak.
And when presented with an opportunity to address critics, she fearlessly took it, using her platform to advocate for women's sports and celebrate her achievements.
