The Iowa Hawkeyes ultimately fell short in NCAA Championship Game. However, college basketball's AP National Player of the Year, Caitlin Clark, had a tournament for the record books. Clark led Iowa to their first national championship appearance in thrilling fashion. As we take a look back at Caitlin Clark's NCAA tournament in 10 photos, we'll first revisit where she came from.
#22 is Junior at the University of Iowa, and was a unanimous name on the AP All-American list before the regular season began. Clark is an Iowa native. She was born January 22, 2002 in Des Moines and grew up in Wes Des Moines. She says she started to play basketball at five-years-old and quickly found her way to prominent spots within local AAU programs.
Making Iowa Proud
Clark then played all four high school years on the varsity basketball team. She often credits her development to constantly playing with older kids growing up. For Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines, Clark won the Gatorade Player of the Year and All-State honors. She was selected to play for the University of Iowa over other top-ranked programs like Notre Dame, in part because she was a fast-paced scoring point guard.
As a freshman for the Hawkeyes, Clark made an immediate impact. Her ability to move the ball around resulted in many assists and points. This past season, it finally paid off with a Big Ten Championship win over Ohio State.
There was certainly momentum for Iowa coming into the NCAA tournament this year. As an All-American, Clark put on a scoring display this past month, leading Iowa their first Final Four appearance since 1993. She took the nation by storm with 40 point, triple-double games and her big-game personality.
A Legendary Performance
This NCAA 2023 tournament has been great for women's basketball. Clark consistently put on a show, demonstrating grit and maximum effort, leaving it all on the court.
To honor what was an incredible run, we'll look back at Caitlin Clark's NCAA tournament in 10 photos.
IOWA CITY, IOWA- MARCH 17: Guard Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes goes to the basket against guard Cierria Cunningham #2 of the Southeastern Louisiana Lady Lions at Carver-Hawkeye Arena during the first half in the first round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament on March 17, 2023 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) Matthew Holst/Getty Images
IOWA CITY, IOWA- MARCH 17: Guard Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes signs autographs as she comes off the court after the win against the Southeastern Louisiana Lady Lions in the first round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on March 17, 2023 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) Matthew Holst/Getty Images
IOWA CITY, IOWA- MARCH 19: Guard Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrates after time ran out against the Georgia Lady Bulldogs during the second round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on March 19, 2023 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) Matthew Holst/Getty Images
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MARCH 24: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes is introduced prior to a game against the Colorado Buffaloes in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Climate Pledge Arena on March 24, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) Steph Chambers/Getty Images
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MARCH 24: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes rebounds against the Colorado Buffaloes in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Climate Pledge Arena on March 24, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) Steph Chambers/Getty Images
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MARCH 26: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes and Mykasa Robinson #5 of the Louisville Cardinals shake hands prior to their game in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Climate Pledge Arena on March 26, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) Steph Chambers/Getty Images
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MARCH 26: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes shoots the ball against the Louisville Cardinals during the third quarter in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Climate Pledge Arena on March 26, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) Steph Chambers/Getty Images
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MARCH 26: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrates after defeating the Louisville Cardinals 97-83 in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Climate Pledge Arena on March 26, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) Steph Chambers/Getty Images
Clark also set the record for 3-pointers made in a championship game with 8.
DALLAS, TEXAS - MARCH 31: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes reacts after a three point basket during the fourth quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the 2023 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal game at American Airlines Center on March 31, 2023 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) Tom Pennington/Getty Images
DALLAS, TEXAS - APRIL 02: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes shoots the ball during the first quarter alsu during the 2023 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament championship game at American Airlines Center on April 02, 2023 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
Jeff Gorra is a Boston-based writer who has been with Beasley Media Group since the beginning of 2023. He writes about restaurants and food, as well as sports and rock music. His experience also includes show hosting and in-depth creative writing in rock and reggae dub music. Jeff’s an avid surfer, New York Giants, and Pearl Jam fan, however, if you make unforgettable pizza, he is sure to find you.
