Right now, University of Iowa star Caitlin Clark is one of the biggest stories in sports. She recently became the all-time leading scorer in college basketball history, regardless of gender, by surpassing Pete Maravich, and she is inspiring women of all ages across the nation.
On Sunday, she added to her growing legend with a big clutch performance in the Big Ten title game versus the University of Nebraska. Despite a poor first half, she ended up with 34 points, 12 assists, 7 rebounds and 3 steals as Iowa State won in overtime, 94-89. It gave the school its third consecutive Big Ten championship.
After the game, she posed with the Big Ten tournament trophy. In doing so, she paid tribute to Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and one of his most iconic photos.
Caitlin Clark pays tribute to Kobe Bryant pic.twitter.com/FitlKRV32t
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) March 10, 2024
That photo of Bryant was taken just after the Lakers had clinched the 2001 NBA championship over the Philadelphia 76ers. It was the second of Bryant’s five world titles.
Bryant died in a tragic helicopter crash four years ago. However, before his death, he had quietly become a huge advocate for women’s sports, particularly women’s basketball. In fact, the Kobe and Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award was created to honor those who have helped to advance not just WNBA basketball but also women’s basketball at all levels.
His former teammate and fellow Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Pau Gasol received the award last year.
