The two former Iowa stars were up against each other

Former Iowa Hawkeyes coach Lisa Bluder has spoken with immense pride at seeing Caitlin Clark and Kate Martin facing off against one another in the WNBA.

Clark and Martin were teammates for the Hawkeyes last season and now they are playing for the Indiana Fever and the Las Vegas Aces respectively.

They became good friends on and off the court whilst at Iowa together, often being labelled as best friends.

Fan support makes Caitlin Clark feel at home despite away win

Bluder’s pride

Perhaps the person with the most pride and happiness at seeing Clark and Martin on the court together was their former coach, Bluder. She was in attendance at the game.

“It is amazing. You get to see your player achieve their dreams that they’ve had forever. It’s so gratifying, this is exactly what you want as a coach is for them to reach their dream in whatever it is,” said Bluder, via Dice City Sports on X.

The player who stole the show during the match was A’ja Wilson of the Aces.

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Many regard Wilson as the best player currently in the WNBA and she racked up 29 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Las Vegas Aces to a 99-80 win over the Indiana Fever.

Clark scored eight points on 2-of-8 shooting (2 of 5 from the 3-point line) and had seven assists and five rebounds to go with six turnovers. That is her lowest return in a pro game, having previously averaged 16.7 points.

Perhaps in an effort to protect her from tough questions, Clark was not made available to the media after the defeat.

What Type of Cancer Did Bill Walton Battle Before His Death?

Bill Walton (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The basketball world mourns the loss of Bill Walton, a two-time NBA champion and beloved broadcaster. The fan-favorite broadcaster passed away after a valiant battle with prostate cancer. The league announced his death on behalf of his family.

Throughout his life, Walton was known for his tireless efforts to spread cancer awareness. He was also deeply involved in Coaches vs. Cancer. It was an initiative launched between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC).

Walton’s basketball journey began at UCLA, where he led the Bruins to national championships in 1972 and 1973. Under his leadership, the team achieved perfect 30-0 records in both seasons.

Following his remarkable college career, Walton entered the NBA, starting with the Portland Trail Blazers. In 1977, Walton led the team to its only NBA championship, earning the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player award for his outstanding play. His excellence continued into the next season, where he achieved the NBA’s regular-season MVP title.

Walton’s career then took him to the San Diego/Los Angeles Clippers, where he played from 1979 to 1985. However, it was with the Boston Celtics that Walton experienced a career rejuvenation. The Celtics legend played a crucial role in their 1986 NBA championship victory over the Houston Rockets, securing his second NBA title.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver Honors Bill Walton’s Legacy in Heartfelt Statement

Bill Walton’s death has left a significant void in the basketball community. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued a heartfelt statement in remembrance of Walton.

“Bill Walton was truly one of a kind. As a Hall of Fame player, he redefined the center position. His unique all-around skills made him a dominant force at UCLA and led to an NBA regular-season and Finals MVP, two NBA championships and a spot on the NBA’s 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams,” Silver’s statement read.

After retiring from the court, he emerged as one of the most renowned analysts in sports television history. As recently as February, Walton made regular appearances during the All-Star Weekend festivities.