Iowa standout Caitlin Clark unexpectedly appears on ‘Saturday Night Live’

Iowa basketball star Caitlin Clark made a surprise appearance on “Saturday Night Live” during the show’s “Weekend Update” segment. The NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer showed up after anchor Michael Che made a joke about Iowa retiring her jersey. Clark got the last laugh as Che then read some jokes that she wrote, poking fun at the comedian.

Clark, who is in New York for the WNBA draft where she is expected to be the top pick by the Indiana Fever, delivered a heartfelt message about her basketball future on the show. She thanked legendary players like Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, Cynthia Cooper, Dawn Staley, and Maya Moore for paving the way for her.

The Iowa native was joined on stage by her former Hawkeye teammates Kate Martin, Gabbie Marshall, and Jada Gyamfi at the end of the show. Clark watched the first half of the show from the dressing room to keep her appearance a surprise for the fans.

After a busy week that included accepting the John R. Wooden Award in Los Angeles and celebrating with her team at a rally in Iowa, Clark’s appearance on “SNL” was a memorable moment for the basketball star. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to share the experience with her teammates and thanked the trailblazing women who came before her in the sport.