Iowa City, IA- What more does Caitlin Clark have left to prove? It’s a question that we often ask an athlete after winning an award and at the twilight of their career; we attempt to rationalize their answer, but rationale never plays a part in their decision, it lies in their competitive nature.
If you have seen Caitlin Clark play, then you know she’s in constant motion on offense and defense. One minute she will weave her way through the defense to deliver a lay-up off the glass, the next she will take a step past the half court line and sink a three like it was a free throw.
Clark’s competitive fire has helped lead the Iowa women’s basketball team to now back-to-back Final Four appearances. It has also nabbed her ten awards for her performance this season.
After grabbing Naismith Player of the Year earlier this week, Clark has now been awarded Associated Press Player of the Year, Wade Trophy Recipient, and Honda Sport Awards Recipient. All these awards come in back-to-back seasons as well.
Clark received 34 of the 35 AP votes before the tournament began and is only the second Hawkeye and Big Ten student-athlete to receive the honor—Megan Gustafson in 2019. She is the only in conference history to do so in back-to-back seasons.
Clark took home the Wade Trophy, the most prestigious national player of the year honor in women’s basketball, for the second year in a row. She is one of six players to win the award twice—Maya Moore won it three times for UConn. She is the first Hawkeye and second Big 10 player to receive the award.
Lastly, the Honda Award goes to the “best of the best in collegiate athletics.” Clark is the reigning Honda Cup winner and is attempting to sweep all the National Player of the Year awards again.
As a senior Clark has somehow brought her game up to another level. She is averaging 32 points and nine assists per game, which leads the NCAA. She became the first player to finish first in both categories in back-to-back seasons. She also became the first Division-I player to score over 1,000 points in back-to-back season, while also holding every career scoring record in collegiate basketball history.
So, in terms of awards she has nothing left to prove. However, if I were to ask her that question, then I believe the answer I would receive is a National Championship. She’s a competitor and a competitor is not done until they win.
She will have to take on UConn tonight at 8:30 pm to earn an opportunity at that championship.