Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark shared a heartwarming moment with her former Iowa Hawkeyes team when forward Jada Gyamfi perfectly recreated her iconic celebration during a record-shattering victory on Sunday.
The Viral Celebration That Connected Past and Present
The magical moment occurred during Iowa Hawkeyes' dominant performance against Evansville at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. After scoring a magnificent three-pointer, Jada Gyamfi struck the now-famous pose that has become synonymous with Caitlin Clark - both hands raised with three fingers extended and tongue out in celebration.
The Iowa Women's Basketball Instagram account quickly shared the image, which immediately caught fire across social media platforms. What made the moment particularly special was Clark's instant recognition and response to her former teammate's tribute.
The WNBA icon commented on the post saying, "@jadagyamfi awesome celly brother," showcasing the strong bond that continues to exist between the basketball star and her former team.
Historic Victory Creates New Records
Beyond the emotional celebration, the game itself marked a significant milestone in Iowa Hawkeyes' basketball history. The team delivered an absolutely dominant performance, crushing Evansville with a final score of 119-43 at their home arena.
This remarkable victory established multiple new records for the program. The 119 points scored set new benchmarks both for the Iowa Hawkeyes program and for Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Additionally, the 76-point victory margin represents the largest in the team's history, underscoring the complete dominance displayed throughout the game.
The team's outstanding performance was a collective effort, with Layla Hays leading the charge by scoring 20 points and collecting five rebounds. Ava Heiden followed closely with an impressive 14 points and 10 boards, while Chazadi Wright showcased her playmaking abilities with 16 points and 10 assists.
The Enduring Caitlin Clark Effect
The celebration and subsequent viral moment perfectly illustrate what many are now calling the "Caitlin Clark effect" - the lasting impact and inspiration the basketball phenom continues to have on her former team even as she embarks on her professional WNBA journey with Indiana Fever.
Iowa assistant coach Abby Emmert Stamp recently discussed how the program continues to evolve and grow, telling The Athletic: "We're not just telling stories about Caitlin Clark or we're not just telling stories about Hannah Stuelke. We are telling stories around the circle and around the end of the bench and whatever it may be."
This philosophy appears to be paying dividends, as the team demonstrated exceptional chemistry and fun-loving energy throughout their record-breaking performance.
Looking ahead, the Iowa Hawkeyes will next face Drake on November 13 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, where fans will undoubtedly be watching for more magical moments and perhaps another tribute to their beloved former star.
