Caitlin Clark, a former Iowa star and current WNBA player for the Indiana Fever, won the prestigious Honda Cup for the second consecutive year. This achievement puts her in the same league as her idol Maya Moore, making her only the fourth athlete to win the award twice. Clark expressed her awe at being compared to Moore, whom she idolized since childhood.
Due to her WNBA commitments, Clark was unable to attend the awards show and missed the opportunity to meet the other finalists. She expressed disappointment at not being able to interact with athletes from different sports and learn about their lives. The Honda Cup recognizes top NCAA women athletes not only for their athletic achievements but also for their leadership, academic excellence, and community service involvement.
The 2022 Honda Cup ceremony took place in New York, a change from its usual location in Los Angeles. This year, there was a tie in voting, resulting in four outstanding honorees, including Clark, Texas volleyball player Madisen Skinner, LSU gymnast Haleigh Bryant, and Stanford softball player NiJaree Canady. Clark, a two-time Associated Press Player of the Year, is only the 18th basketball player to receive this honor.
In addition to the Honda Cup, USC basketball player Aaliyah Gayles was recognized with the Honda Inspiration Award for her resilience and determination. Gayles survived a shooting incident in April 2022 and signed her national letter of intent to play for USC from her hospital bed. Her story has inspired many and she considers it a privilege to be a source of inspiration for others.
Unfortunately, some finalists were unable to attend the ceremony due to their athletic commitments. Gretchen Walsh was at the U.S. swimming trials for the Olympics, while Parker Valby was aiming to qualify for the Paris Games in track and field. Despite their absence, the event was attended by athletes with aspirations of competing in the upcoming Olympics in Paris.
Overall, the Honda Cup ceremony celebrated the exceptional achievements of female athletes across various sports and highlighted their contributions to their communities and academic pursuits. Caitlin Clark’s back-to-back win of the award solidifies her place among the all-time greats in college athletics, setting a new standard for excellence and leadership in women’s sports.