Caitlin Clark shares the emotional journey of her historic SNL debut

Caitlin Clark’s big night on national TV

Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark.

For Caitlin Clark, a standout moment in her career arrived when she made her debut on Saturday Night Live, becoming the first women’s basketball player to appear on the legendary show. Known for her sharpshooting skills and as Iowa’s beloved “CC,” Clark’s guest spot had her playfully roasting SNL anchor Michael Che, who joked about Iowa retiring Clark’s jersey and an apron in her honor.

Clark’s appearance on the show came during a whirlwind April, as she balanced awards, travel, and her rookie year in the WNBA, marking a wild journey from college basketball stardom to the national spotlight.

Reflecting on her busy schedule, Clark confessed that she barely remembers the trip to New York for the draft. “I slept two hours, I’ve never felt that way in my life,” she shared on the podcast Fresh Tawk with Jada Gyamfi, recalling the constant travel from LA to NYC and back across the country.

Right before her SNL debut, she’d received the Wooden Award for the second consecutive year-then had just a week of training camp before plunging into her rookie season with the Indiana Fever. With her sights still set on growth, she admitted that the NYC visit was a blur, joking, “I felt awful because I was in LA, I flew from LA in the morning, and I flew all the way to New York, landed, went right to SNL.”

Clark makes WNBA history on SNL

On set, Clark brought her A-game, trading jabs with Che about his humor and women’s sports. In a memorable skit, she had him read a joke she’d crafted, telling him, “I have three pointers for Michael Che: One, be. Two, funnier. Three, dumba–.” The light-hearted moment drew laughs and underscored her easy confidence as she transitioned from NCAA legend to WNBA rookie.

More than just a night of jokes, her SNL appearance was a big moment for women’s sports. As the reigning Rookie of the Year, Clark has become a powerful voice for female athletes. Paying tribute to her heroes, she acknowledged WNBA legends who paved the way, like Sheryl Swoopes and her personal hero, Maya Moore.

I want to thank them tonight for laying the foundation,” she said, calling out greats like Lisa Leslie, Cynthia Cooper, and Dawn Staley as well. “These are the women that kicked down the door so I could walk inside.”

As Clark’s rookie season wraps up, she’s already set records and gained a devoted fan base. With the foundation laid by the pioneers she admires, the basketball star looks forward to an even brighter second season