In a resounding affirmation of her extraordinary talent and unwavering dedication, Caitlin Clark of the University of Iowa has been crowned the 2024 Naismith National Player of the Year for the second successive season.
Clark was the undisputed choice for Naismith Award
The announcement came on Wednesday amidst the anticipation of the NCAA Tournament’s Final Four round set to be held this Saturday in Cleveland, Ohio.
Gathered at the illustrious Key Bank Club within the Cleveland Browns Stadium, the atmosphere was electric as Clark, the undeniable superstar of the Iowa Hawkeyes, graciously accepted her award.
Flanked by her teammates and under the watchful eye of head coach Lisa Bluder, Clark stood tall as the epitome of excellence in collegiate basketball.
This triumph wasn’t handed to Clark on a silver platter; she faced stiff competition from the likes of Stanford’s Cameron Brink, USC’s JuJu Watkins, and UConn’s Paige Bueckers.
However, with her stellar performances and record-breaking feats throughout the season, Clark emerged as the undisputed choice for the prestigious honor.
Clark’s achievements on the court this season have been nothing short of extraordinary.
Her remarkable ability to dominate the game, evidenced by her all-time leading scorer status in NCAA history, has solidified her status as a basketball prodigy.
Clark: Receiving the award is truly humbling
Notably, Clark’s unprecedented win marks her as the eighth women’s player to clinch the award in consecutive seasons, a feat achieved by only a select few in the history of collegiate basketball.
Her unparalleled talent and unwavering determination have placed her among the elite few who have left an indelible mark on the sport.
Reflecting on her remarkable journey, Clark expressed profound gratitude, stating, “To be a two-time recipient of the Naismith Trophy is truly humbling.”
“Being selected as this season’s honoree is truly special with the number of talented and skilled players across the country. I want thank my family, coaches, and teammates who helped me get to this point,”Clark concluded
Her humility and dedication to her craft have endeared her to fans and admirers alike, further cementing her status as a role model for aspiring athletes everywhere.
As she looks ahead to the future, Clark remains steadfast in her commitment to excellence.
With the NCAA tournament final weekend looming on the horizon, she stands poised to lead the Iowa Hawkeyes to their first championship victory, a testament to her unwavering determination and indomitable spirit.
Clark’s awards in the 2023-24 season so far:
– Naismith Player of the Year
– ESPN.com National Player of the Year
– The Athletic National Player of the Year
– Sporting News National Player of the Year
– AP First Team All-America
– USBWA First Team All-America
– Big Ten Player of the Year
– First Team All-Big Ten
– Big Ten Player of the Week; Nov. 13, Nov. 27, Dec. 11, Dec. 18, Jan. 2, Jan. 8, Jan. 15, Feb. 5, Feb. 19, Feb. 26, March 4.
– WBCA National Player of the Week; Nov. 14, Nov. 28, Jan. 3, Jan. 9, Jan. 16, Jan. 31, Feb. 6, Feb. 20.
– AP National Player of the Week; Nov. 14, Jan. 9, Feb. 20.