As March Madness moves closer to the end, sporting legends and fans have already picked their favorites for the championship. Ahead of the women’s NCAA final, several sporting stars like Patrick Mahomes, Candace Parker, Jamal Murray, and actor Mark Wahlberg sang praises for the rising Iowa Hawkeyes star, Caitlin Clark. They took to social media and expressed their appreciation for the star’s game-winning performance on Friday against South Carolina.
The Iowa Hawkeyes took on the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Friday night semi-final clash. The Hawkeyes carried their momentum from their previous games and dominated the Gamecocks for a 73-77 victory. Despite the entire team’s effort, one player stood out; the Hawkeyes’ point guard, Caitlin Clark. The 21-year-old dropped 41 points for the second consecutive game to force her team into the final.
Caitlin Clark left the sports world in utter disbelief
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Clark has emerged as probably the biggest find during March Madness this season. The 21-year-old rising star single-handedly shouldered her team to the NCAA Championship game with a 41-point outburst on Friday. Following the game, sporting icons and analysts flooded social media with praise. ESPN sports analyst Skip Bayless wrote, “Caitlin Clark is a very special basketball player. Her team was a double-digit underdog to the country’s best defensive team, unbeaten SCar… Can’t wait for Iowa-LSU for the national title.” Apart from Bayless, NBA star Jamal Murray, Candace Parker, and several others took to Twitter to share their opinion.
Caitlin Clark is a very special basketball player. Her team was a double-digit underdog to the country's best defensive team, unbeaten SCar. She scored a FF-redord 41 including 4 late clutch FT. Extreme will & skill. CONGRATS, IOWA. Can't wait for Iowa-LSU for the national title.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) April 1, 2023
Caitlin Clark
— Jamal Murray (@BeMore27) April 1, 2023
41 DUDE WHO DOES THAT!!!??
— Candace Parker (@Candace_Parker) April 1, 2023
Parker was stunned by Clark’s performance and wrote, “41 DUDE WHO DOES THAT!!!??” New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson tweeted, “Caitlin Clark is tough.” Meanwhile, former NFL linebacker Emannuel Acho called her performance an “absolute master class“.
Caitlin Clark is tough
— Jalen Brunson (@jalenbrunson1) April 1, 2023
Caitlin Clark played one of the most dominant games of basketball I have ever witnessed. Regardless of gender, age, or level. Just an absolute master class.
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) April 1, 2023
WNBA legend Sue Bird had surprised the Hawkeyes by visiting them before their Elite Eight clash. While the rest of the team was in disbelief at the sight of the women’s basketball icon, Clark remained focused. Notably, she dropped 41 points in that game.
Moreover, the Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson had already highlighted an interesting stat regarding Clark ahead of the semi-finals.
Mark Wahlberg joined Patrick Mahomes and others to wish Clark
The Hawkeyes are all set to take on the LSU Tigers on Sunday in the NCAA women’s basketball final. Ahead of the game on Friday, actor Mark Wahlberg joined NFL superstar Patrick Mahomes, Kirk Cousins, Luka Garza, and other sporting icons for a special video clip wishing Clark. In the video, Mahomes said, “Congrats on a hell of a year… the job’s not done, go win the championship.”
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“I know one thing for sure. I’m not the only one up at 4 am….Now is the time,” Wahlberg said. Thousands of fans swarmed the comments sections of the video clip and wished luck to the Hawkeyes.
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What do you make of Caitlin Clark’s consistent domination on the court? Will she get her WNBA call? Let us know in the comments below.