Caitlin Clark Shares Her Pre-SNL Jitters: 'Heart Racing Moments Before the Show'

Caitlin Clark Was So Nervous For Her Saturday Night Live Cameo

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Caitlin Clark is used to having millions of people watch her compete for a national championship, but she was actually scared to make an appearance on Saturday Night Live.

During a press conference on Wednesday, April 17, the 22-year-old basketball star admitted, "I was so nervous right before they brought me onto the set for the live show. My heart was racing. But the skit turned out to be enjoyable. I had fun being a part of it. Hopefully, I'll have the chance to do it again in the future."

Clark reminisced about the exciting whirlwind of flying from L.A. to New York City for the show in just one day. She shared with reporters, "I flew straight to the set as soon as I landed. The show doesn't start until 11:30, so I was basically drinking coffee and soda all night to stay awake. It was a fun experience, they really throw you into the fire."

Clark made a guest appearance on Saturday Night Live's "Weekend Update" segment on April 13. He joined Michael Che and Colin Jost on the show. During the segment, Clark gave Che some jokes to read aloud. Che is known for joking about women's sports, so Clark was there to help him see the other side.

One of the jokes Clark gave Che was about the Indiana Fever having the first pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft. Che read the joke aloud, which compared the Indiana Fever to something else. It was a playful way to remind Che that the Indiana Fever is a WNBA team, not something else.

Caitlin Clark Was So Nervous For Her Saturday Night Live Cameo

Caitlin Clark on ‘Saturday Night Live’. SNL/YouTube

Clark jokingly mentioned that she didn't come up with the jokes for the skit, but she felt lucky to be involved in a unique episode of the famous series.

She fondly remembered, "It was a wonderful opportunity to showcase women's sports, everyone enjoyed it. And that show was fantastic. Emily Blunt, Ryan Gosling, Chris Stapleton, Kate McKinnon. There were so many talented individuals who were part of it."

Just two days after her SNL debut, Clark was chosen as the No. 1 pick by the Indiana Fever in the WNBA draft on Monday, April 15. This came after her impressive senior season with the Iowa Hawkeyes. Her SNL appearance was entertaining, but Clark used the opportunity to express her gratitude to her role models for their support in her journey to the WNBA.

The segment concluded with Che wishing Clark success in the WNBA: “Good luck in the WNBA. I hope you have a great first season.” Clark then took a moment to express her heartfelt appreciation to her basketball idols.

Clark expressed gratitude towards WNBA legends such as Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, Cynthia Cooper, Dawn Staley, and Maya Moore for paving the way for her. She acknowledged their role in breaking barriers and laying the foundation for future players like herself.

Editor's P/S:

Caitlin Clark's appearance on Saturday Night Live was a significant moment for women's sports. Clark, a star basketball player, used her platform to highlight the importance of representation and to challenge stereotypes about women's sports. Her presence on the show helped to break down barriers and to inspire young girls who aspire to play sports.

Clark's appearance on SNL was also a testament to her versatility and her ability to connect with audiences beyond the basketball court. Her performance was both entertaining and informative, and she left a lasting impression on viewers. Clark's success on SNL is a reminder that women's sports are just as exciting and engaging as men's sports, and that female athletes deserve the same recognition and respect as their male counterparts.