Caitlin Clark cements legacy with major college basketball honor

Iowa City, Iowa - Caitlin Clark has solidified herself as one of college basketball's greatest athletes!

Iowa Hawkeye legend Caitlin Clark (second from r.) has clinched the Naismith National Player of the Year Award for the second consecutive year.
Iowa Hawkeye legend Caitlin Clark (second from r.) has clinched the Naismith National Player of the Year Award for the second consecutive year.  © Collage: Screenshot / Twitter / NaismithTrophy

The NCAA's all-time leading scorer, Caitlin Clark, has clinched the Naismith National Player of the Year Award for the second consecutive year.

The Hawkeye guard received the honor during a ceremony in Cleveland just before her team's Final Four clash against UConn on Friday.

"This year has been special for women's basketball, and winning this award is truly amazing," Clark said during Wednesday's ceremony.

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"But being here with my team, I couldn't have asked for more. This award belongs to them as much as it does to me. I'm incredibly grateful and excited, and I'll see you all on Friday night."

Clark triumphed over USC freshman JuJu Watkins, 2021 Naismith Player of the Year Paige Bueckers of UConn, and Stanford's Cameron Brink, the defensive player of the year.

Clark's achievement marks the first multiple Naismith Player of the Year winner since UConn's Breanna Stewart claimed three in a row from 2014 to 2016.

Caitlin Clark gears up for matchup against Paige Bueckers and UConn

Caitlin Clark (l.) and Iowa are set for a Final Four matchup with Paige Bueckers and UConn.
Caitlin Clark (l.) and Iowa are set for a Final Four matchup with Paige Bueckers and UConn.  © CARMEN MANDATO / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP

A battle of the Naismith Player of the Year players is set for Friday with Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers as Iowa will look to earn their second-straight national championship game appearance.

The Huskies, however, led by leading scorer Bueckers, won't be an easy test for the Hawkeyes.

In their last meeting in 2021, UConn defeated Iowa with a commanding 20-point victory to advance to the Elite Eight.

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Will the Huskies have the same fate?

UConn and Iowa will face off on Friday at 9:30 PM, airing on ESPN.

Cover photo: Collage: Screenshot / Twitter / NaismithTrophy

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