March Madness is in full swing, and among the young stars drawing attention is Caitlin Clark, the Iowa Hawkeyes’ guard. In a historic performance, she posted the first 40-point triple-double in NCAA Tournament history, earning praise from basketball legend Magic Johnson.
Johnson, a five-time NBA champion, recognized Clark’s talent and shared his admiration for her game, even comparing her to greats like Michael Jordan and Larry Bird. “What makes Caitlin’s 40-point triple-double so special is the fact so many players never had one, not me, Michael Jordan, or Larry Bird!” Johnson said.
What makes Caitlin’s 40-point triple-double so special is the fact so many player never had one, not me, Michael Jordan, or Larry Bird!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) March 28, 2023
“I want to give a lot of love to superstar Caitlin Clark after she recorded 41 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists in Iowa’s over win over Louisville! She’s the first player ever to record a 40-point triple-double in a men’s or women’s NCAA Tournament game.” Johnson tweeted.
I want to give a lot of love to superstar Caitlin Clark after she recorded 41 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists in Iowa’s over win over Louisville! She’s the first player ever to record a 40-point triple-double in a men’s or women’s NCAA Tournament game. @caitlinclark22
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) March 28, 2023
Clark’s impressive performance came as Iowa defeated Louisville 97-83 on Sunday. In addition to her 41 points, she recorded 12 assists and 10 rebounds, leading her team to victory and securing their spot in the Final Four. Iowa, with a record of 30-6, will now face off against the No. 1 overall seed, South Carolina, who boasts a perfect record of 36-0. The Final Four will take place in Dallas, Texas, with LSU (32-2) and Virginia Tech (31-4) also competing for the championship.
Clark’s historic performance has made her a standout player in this year’s tournament, with many fans and experts praising her skills and potential. The 6-foot guard’s ability to score, pass, and rebound has drawn comparisons to some of the greatest players in basketball history, and her future in the sport looks bright. As the tournament continues, fans and analysts will be keeping a close eye on Clark and the other talented players vying for the championship.
Recalling the Legendary Dream Team: Magic Johnson Reflects on Friendship with Michael Jordan and Rivalry with Larry Bird
Magic Johnson recently shared his memories of playing with Michael Jordan in the legendary Dream Team of 1992 during an episode of “The Dan Patrick Show.” Johnson fondly reminisced about how he became friends with Jordan during their time together on the gold-medal winning team, which is widely considered to be the greatest sports team ever assembled. In contrast, Johnson admitted that he and Larry Bird, who played for rival teams in the NBA, had a longstanding rivalry and “hated each other.” Johnson explained that he didn’t have the chance to hate Jordan because they only played against each other once in the NBA Finals.
“Michael, I think the dislike, might have come more the Bulls and Celtics. … I didn’t have the chance to hate Michael, but we’re good friends. I love MJ and what he stands for, for what he’s built, not only on the court, but off the court. His business, so it’s great,” stated Johnson.
He credited his relationship with Bird’s animosity to their college rivalry, which carried over to their NBA careers, leading to numerous intense matchups between their respective teams. Despite their rivalry, both Johnson and Bird have since become good friends off the court.
