Caitlin Clark makes shock appearance on Saturday Night Live as college basketball’s biggest star joins Michael Che and pays tribute to WNBA legends ahead of next week’s draft

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 popped up in the iconic show’s ‘Weekend Update’ segment alongside cast member Michael Che. Hollywood superstar Ryan Gosling was hosting 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 just one step for the WNBA. 

‘Thanks to all the great players like Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, Cynthia Cooper, the great Dawn Staley & my basketball hero Maya Moore. 

‘These are the women that kicked down the door so I could walk inside. So I want to thank them tonight for laying the foundation.’ 

It comes just a week after Clark, predicted to go No. 1 overall in Monday’s WNBA draft, and the Iowa Hawkeyes were beaten in the final of the women’s NCAA Tournament final. 

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

The Iowa star was a big reason why a record 18.9 million viewers tuned in to the NCAA championship game 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 major college basketball’s all-time leading scorer this season on the way to being the consensus national player of the year, was honored along with her teammates in a celebration at Iowa’s home arena.

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

‘I would say you’ve all inspired me as much as I inspired you,’ Clark said to the approximately 8,000 fans in attendance.

‘And you allowed me to live out my dream every single day, and for that, I’m very thankful. It’s 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 started playing in front of sparse crowds during her freshman year when attendance was limited because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

She received a standing ovation when Iowa athletics 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.