Caitlin Clark effect: MN man thanks basketball star.

The Caitlin Clark effect: A Minnesota doctor, who is a father of two daughters, wrote a thank you note to the basketball star. FOX 9’s Kelly O’Connell has the story.

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – A Minnesota doctor, who is a father of two daughters, wrote a thank you note to basketball star Caitlin Clark, thanking her for helping him be a better dad.

Iowa’s Caitlin Clark is considered to be one of the greatest college basketball players in history. She is the all-time leading scorer in the NCAA. She and the Iowa Hawkeyes are in town for the Women’s Big Ten Tournament.

Before she hits the court on Friday, one local doctor, and father of two daughters, wrote a “Thank You” note to the basketball player.

“Dear Caitlin Clark,

“If you read this, I want to say thank you.

“Thank you for being an electrifying, transcendent athlete who is actively changing the world of sport. But mostly, thank you for helping me be a better dad,” reads Dr. Asitha Jayawardena, a pediatric ear, nose and throat surgeon at Children’s Minnesota.

Jayawardena’s op-ed in the Star Tribune went viral almost the moment it hit the website. He says he’s heard from dads and daughters all over the country, saying they too have connected over Clark.

Dr. Jayawardena calls Clark his “cheat code” when it comes to connecting with his oldest daughter. Not only have they gone to games together, but they will watch her play on TV, and it’s something they both love to do together.

Father thanks Caitlin Clark for inspiring daughter

A father is thanking Iowa basketball star Caitlin Clark for helping him grow a closer bond with his daughter.

The family plans to go see Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes play Friday in the tournament, as they take on either Penn State or Wisconsin.

Clark has said this will be her final season at Iowa, as she plans to enter the 2024 WNBA draft. She is expected to be the No. 1 pick.

HOT NEWS: 

DEION SANDERS’ EPIC MOTIVATIONAL SPEECH FOR CAITLIN CLARK AHEAD OF MARCH MADNESS

Deion Sanders couldn’t have said his Caitlin Clark pep talk any better!

As Caitlin Clark prepares to lead the Iowa women’s basketball team in March Madness, Colorado football head coach Deion Sanders delivered some pep talk for the legendary college hooper.

While appearing as a guest on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” Sanders was asked to give some motivational speeches to the cardboard cutouts that the host would present. One of those cutouts were of Clark, and the Buffaloes tactician made sure to give it his best talk.

“Caitlin, baby girl, let me tell you something. We’re coming down the home stretch. This is going to be your last dance. And guess what? I need you to finish strong. I don’t care what they said about the WNBA. I know what you’re capable of. I want you to go out there and lead like you’ve never led before. I want you to go dominate like you’ve never dominated before. Unapologetically, I want you to be you,” Sanders said.

.@DeionSanders gives pump up speeches to cardboard cutouts of @JasonKelce, @CaitlinClark22 and @TheRock  pic.twitter.com/PupqX70wuI

— The Tonight Show (@FallonTonight) March 15, 2024

It certainly couldn’t get any better than that. And Coach Prime definitely said it in a way that he only could. Deion Sanders is widely regarded as one of the better coaches in college football today, and aside from his experience, the way he motivates his players and rallies them make him different from other coaches.

While it’s unknown if Caitlin Clark has already seen the video, she might want to give it a look before the NCAA Tournament starts.

Caitlin Clark, Iowa women’s basketball eyeing big prize

For what it’s worth, Caitlin Clark herself said before that she is focused on helping the Iowa women’s basketball team to be the last team standing in the women’s division of March Madness.

Clark is already playing her last year with the Hawkeyes after declaring for the WNBA Draft, but before she leaves, the NCAA leading scorer for both men and women has her eyes set on the big prize.

The 22-year-old said as much after they won the Big Ten title against Nebraska, highlighting his belief that the Hawkeyes have what it takes to win it all.

“I think our group knows well enough that the NCAA Tournament is the best postseason tournament in all of sports. If you don’t have it for one night, your season’s over in the blink of an eye. We’re really only guaranteed one more game as a team, so you’ve got to come in and prepare every single day like it’s your last. I know this team will do that,” Clark said via New York Post.

Iowa is expected to get the no. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament that starts late next week. Sure enough, Deion Sanders and the rest of the Hawkeyes faithful will have their eyes glued on television to watch Clark attempt to make more history.