Iowa star Caitlin Clark makes surprise appearance on 'Saturday Night Live' – Winnipeg Free Press

NEW YORK (AP) – Live from New York, it's Caitlin Clarke!

The Iowa star made a surprise appearance on “Saturday Night Live” during the show's “Weekend Update” segment.

He said it was the first time he had heard about the possibility of being in the Final Four, but discussions had been going on for weeks.

“I didn't know the script until I saw it and it was really good,” Clarke told the AP on Sunday. “It's been great to get them straight about women's sports. The crowd was very large. I was more nervous than I was at a basketball game. Bucket List Item”.

The Iowa star is in New York for Monday night's WNBA draft, where she is expected to be the Indiana Fever's top pick.

It came after NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer Michael Che joked that he was retiring his Iowa State jersey. Clarke had the last laugh, then read more jokes that made fun of the comedy written by Che Clarke.

“I've had a lot of actors come up to me, and I'm really excited to be there, and they tell me they're watching us all the time,” Clarke said. “My heart was beating out of my chest before they put me in the chair.”

The Iowa native then delivered a heartfelt message about his basketball future, thanking the many great players who have come before him.

“I'm sure this will be a big first step for me, but just one more step for the WNBA thanks to great players like Cheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, Cynthia Cooper, great Dawn Staley and my basketball hero Maya. Moore,” Clark said. “These are the women who kicked in the door for me to come in. That's why I want to thank them for laying the foundation tonight.”

At the end of the show, Clarke returned to the stage, bringing with her former Hawkeye teammates Kate Martin, Gabby Marshall and Jada Dyamphy.

“It's really cool, they came to New York City yesterday,” Clark said of his teammates. “The producer asked them if they wanted to go on stage at the end. They were a bit shocked at first, but it's great that I can share these moments with them.”

Clark watched the first half of the show from the dressing room so as not to spoil the surprise for the fans. After he took the stage, he watched musical guest Chris Stapleton's second performance from the set.

It's been a busy week for Clark since his team lost to South Carolina in the national championship game in Cleveland. He moved to Los Angeles with John R. Wooden went to accept the award, held a rally at Iowa Arena to celebrate the team and is now in New York.

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AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball