Caitlin Clark Bids Farewell to Iowa With an Emotional Message Hours After Heartbreaking Defeat

Published 04/07/2024, 9:44 PM EDT

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USA Today via Reuters

What’s going through Caitlin Clark’s mind after her career came to a disappointing end in her last NCAA appearance? The South Carolina Gamecocks defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes 87-75, to put an ultimate end to Clark’s desire to win the national championship. While many would mostly be devastated or silent about a missed opportunity like this, the 22-year-old college sensation does not want this to hold her back. 

Clark has bigger things to look into, and the first thing would be to show her gratitude to Iowa. After playing the last game for the Hawkeye nation, Clark wrote on Twitter, “Words cannot express my love for my teammates, coaches, fans and our university – Thanks for making my dreams come true. Wearing Iowa across my chest the last four years has been an honor. This place will always be home.”

That’s the words of a true champion. She wore Iowa across her chest all this while, and soon it will be Indiana, where the 22-year-old shall continue her legacy.  

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The maturity of Clark at such a young age is quite amusing. There wasn’t much of a reaction from her, even though her 30-point game went in vain. Later, also in the press conference, she spoke highly of the Iowa program, and that proves her loyalty to the state. 

Caitlin Clark’s mature post-game speech and coach Lisa Bluder’s hard-hitting words

Clark was questioned about missing her final chance to win the NCAA title and she replied, “I’m sad we lost this game. But I’m also so proud of myself. I’m so proud of my teammates. I’m so proud of this program.” This positive mindset will take the 22-year-old to big places and this showcases the belief she has in Iowa. Clark kept the same belief when she joined this program four years ago. However, back then, she was mocked for her decision to join the Hawkeyes. Coach Lisa Bluder recalled that after the game today. 

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She told the media, “I really think that when she came in as a freshman, she said, we’re going to the Final Four. And a lot of people laughed at her. Maybe even laughed at her for coming to Iowa, quite honestly. But she believed. We believed.” 

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Loyalty is something we rarely see these days. Clark kept her promise until the very end and made it to the Final Four twice in her four-year tenure. Now, the WNBA awaits this young superstar.

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Written by:

Rohan Dharmalingam

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Rohan Dharmalingam is an NBA beat writer at EssentiallySports, who extensively covers the Lakers. Be it a multimillion dollar deal breaking or a classic throwback, Rohan has covered the many themes and formats. Most notably, his coverage received a shoutout from the Purple & Gold icon Shaquille O'Neal and the rap legend 50 Cent, on Instagram.
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Edited by:

Bhujaya Ray Chowdhury