Caitlin Clark is shocked on Saturday Night Live! College basketball’s biggest star takes down Michael Che after the host has yet to delve into women’s sports

  • Caitlin Clark shocked audiences by appearing on Saturday Night Live this week
  • She joined regular cast member Michael Che and paid tribute to WNBA legends
  • DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news

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Caitlin Clark has made a shock appearance on Saturday Night Live with college basketball’s biggest star in New York ahead of Monday’s WNBA draft.

College basketball’s biggest star appeared on the iconic show’s ‘Weekend Update’ segment alongside cast member Michael Che. Hollywood superstar Ryan Gosling hosted the episode.

After Che wished her luck in the WNBA draft, Clark said: ‘I’m sure it will be a big step for me, but it’s only a step for the WNBA.

‘Thank you to all the amazing players like Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, Cynthia Cooper, the great Dawn Staley and my basketball hero Maya Moore.

‘It’s the women who kicked the door down so I could go inside. So I want to thank them tonight for laying the groundwork.’

Caitlin Clark made a shock appearance on Saturday Night Live ahead of the WNBA draft

Caitlin Clark made a shock appearance on Saturday Night Live ahead of the WNBA draft

It comes just one week after Clark, who was projected to go No. 1 overall in Monday’s WNBA draft, was swept by the Iowa Hawkeyes in the women’s NCAA tournament final.

Clark has helped bring millions of new fans to the game with her reckless shooting and dazzling passing skills.

The Iowa star was a big reason why a record 18.9 million viewers tuned in for the NCAA championship, where South Carolina beat the Hawkeyes.

The NCAA Division I all-time scoring leader will go first to the Indiana Fever on Monday night when the draft takes place at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in front of 1,000 fans.

Earlier this week, Clark, who became the leading scorer in major college basketball this season en route to being the consensus national player of the year, was honored with his teammates in a celebration at Iowa’s home arena.

Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes were beaten in the finals of the women's NCAA tournament final

Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes were beaten in the finals of the women's NCAA tournament final

Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes were beaten in the finals of the women’s NCAA tournament final

“I would say you all have inspired me as much as I have inspired you,” Clark told the roughly 8,000 fans in attendance.

‘And you allowed me to live my dream every single day, and for that I am very grateful. It has been very special and this place will always be home to me.’

Clark finished her career with 3,951 points and 1,144 assists, an All-American in every season in a career that began playing in front of sparse crowds during her freshman year, when attendance was limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

She received a standing ovation when Iowa athletic director Beth Goetz announced that Clark’s jersey number 22 will be retired, the third number to be retired in program history.

More to follow.