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March Madness is always full of inspiring stories and history-making moments. The NCAA basketball tournament is currently down to its Final Four stage in both the male and female competitions, but as the sun sets on an exciting month of games, the future is looking bright for some of its biggest stars. Caitlin Clark, star of the Iowa Hawkeyes, registered the first ever 40-point triple-double in Division I NCAA Tournament history in men’s and women’s tournaments—a feat even NBA stars have paid tribute to given its rarity and the skill it takes to achieve something like that.
What’s a triple-double? It means that a player accumulated a double-digit number total in three of five statistical categories—points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots—in just one game. To have any of those reach a 40 count is even rarer. NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson pointed out on Twitter: “What makes Caitlin’s 40-point triple-double so special is the fact so many player[s] never had one, not me, Michael Jordan, or Larry Bird!”
Clark achieved this during Iowa’s Elite Eight match against Louisville, posting a stat line of 41 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds. Her efforts were crucial to send the Hawkeyes to their first Final Four since 1993. Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder described Clark’s feat as “mind boggling” during the postgame press conference.
Despite being only 21 years old, the Iowa point guard already has a storied career in basketball. She has won three gold medals as part of the U.S. team, once at the FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship and twice at the FIBA Under-19 World Cup. Her display of talent during this tournament has also earned her the title of Naismith College Player of the Year, given to the top men’s and women’s collegiate basketball players.
The March Madness women’s Final Four takes place Friday, March 31, and the National Championship will happen on Sunday, April 2. Only time will tell how far into the competition Clark and her team will make it, but one thing’s for sure: this amazing player has already left her mark on the history of basketball. With time we’ll know if we’re seeing the early years of a professional legend of this sport.
Caitlin Clark, of the Iowa Hawkeyes, registered the first ever 40-point triple-double in Division I NCAA Tournament history, in either men’s or women’s tournaments.
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“What makes Caitlin’s 40-point triple-double so special is the fact so many player[s] never had one, not me, Michael Jordan, or Larry Bird!” said Earvin “Magic” Johnson.
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Clark achieved this during Iowa’s Elite Eight match against Louisville, posting a stat line of 41 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds. Her efforts were crucial to sending the Hawkeyes to their first Final Four since 1993.
Ver esta publicación en Instagram
Caitlin Clark: Website | Instagram
NCAA March Madness Women’s Basketball: Website | Instagram
h/t: [CBS News]
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