“She deserves it!” – ESPN reacts to Caitlin Clark wins best female college athlete at the ESPYS

Caitlin Clark added some new hardware to her collection after Thursday night’s ESPY Awards in Los Angeles.

The former Iowa women’s basketball standout and current Indiana Fever superstar guard was nominated in three categories from her time as a Hawkeye: Best Women’s Athlete, Best Record-Breaking Performance (win), and Best Women’s College Athlete (win, second year in a row).

Here’s a recap of all Clark-related happenings from the awards show:

– Best Women’s College Athlete: Clark won this award for the second consecutive year.

– Best Record-Breaking Performance: Clark took home this trophy for becoming the NCAA’s All-Time Scoring Leader, surpassing NFL star Christian McCaffrey in this category.

– Best Women’s Athlete: While she didn’t win, her nomination alone highlights her exceptional achievements.

Clark, who was unable to attend the ceremony, shared a virtual acceptance speech, expressing her gratitude and acknowledging the support from her teammates and coaches at the University of Iowa. She also sent her congratulations to all the nominees and winners, wishing them a fantastic night.

Despite her recent successes, Clark did not make the U.S. women’s basketball team for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Reflecting on this, she conveyed her excitement for the selected team members and acknowledged the fierce competition for spots on the roster.

Caitlin Clark wins “Best record-breaking performance”

After breaking the Division I scoring record for both men’s and women’s basketball, Clark won the ESPY for “best record-breaking performance.”

She wasn’t in attendance to receive the award but did send a video message saying thanks.

Caitlin Clark mentioned in segment on growth of women’s sports

Serena and Venus Williams, and actress Quinta Brunson, all gathered on stage to discuss the growth of women’s sports over the past year.

The segment featured many jokes and sarcasm, with one portion focused on encouraging new women’s sports fans to treat the athletes the same as anyone else.

During the messaging about liking more than one athlete at a time, Venus used the example of “Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese,” alluding to their ongoing WNBA Rookie of the Year race and how it has divided some of the sport’s fanbase.

Caitlin Clark falls short of “Best Athlete-Women’s Sports” to winner A’ja Wilson

Absolutely no surprise or shame in Clark losing this category to the great A’ja Wilson of the reigning WNBA back-to-back champion Las Vegas Aces.

Clark even being nominated for her college performance is a testament to her Iowa career and greatness.

Wilson is a two-time WNBA MVP and Defensive Player of the Year who is currently enjoying what many consider to be one of the greatest individual WNBA seasons of all time: 26.9 points, 11.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.9 steals and 2.7 blocks per game.

Other nominees were Coco Gauff (tennis), who won the 2023 U.S. Open at just 19 years old, and Nelly Korda (golf), who won the Chevron Championship and held the world No. 1 ranking in 2023.

ESPYS TV opening featured Caitlin Clark video highlights

With Clark being such a mainstay of sports media and culture over the past year, as well as the growth of women’s sports a whole, she was deservingly featured in the show’s opening.

Host Serena Williams teases Caitlin Clark with comparison to Larry Bird

“Caitlin Clark had an amazing year and is nominated for three awards,” Williams said. “Caitlin, you are Larry Bird in that you’re an amazing player, you have ties to Indiana and white people are really crazy about you.”

Caitlin Clark wins best women’s college athlete during ESPYS Red Carpet Show

Clark’s honors got started even before the show officially started.

During the ESPYS Red Carpet Show, which featured coverage of some of the top athletes arriving for the event, Clark was announced as the winner of “best women’s college athlete.”

This is the second year in a row that she’s received the award.

She beat out Haleigh Bryant (LSU gymnastics), Sarah Franklin (Wisconsin volleyball) and Izzy Scane (Northwestern lacrosse).

 

Who are the 2024 ESPY Award nominees for best women’s athlete?

Caitlin Clark, Iowa women’s basketball
Coco Gauff, Tennis
Nelly Korda, Golf
A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces

Who are the 2024 ESPY Award nominees for best record-breaking performance?

Caitlin Clark becomes NCAA’s all-time scoring leader, breaking Pete Maravich’s Record
49ers Christian McCaffrey scores a TD for a record breaking 17 straight games
Tara VanDerveer, Stanford women’s basketball – gets 1,203rd win to pass Coach K for most by any coach in NCAA basketball history
Max Verstappen wins record 10th consecutive race with victory at Italian Grand Prix

Who are the 2024 ESPY Award nominees for best women’s college athlete?

Caitlin Clark, Iowa women’s basketball
Haleigh Bryant, LSU gymnastics
Sarah Franklin, Wisconsin volleyball
Izzy Scane, Northwestern lacrosse