Iowa's Caitlin Clark, Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo Coach Special Olympics Basketball Game

Iowa star Caitlin Clark and Notre Dame freshman sensation Hannah Hidalgo made a trip to the Special Olympics Southern California to serve as coaches for a basketball game. It looked like an awesome experience for everyone involved.

Author:
Dustin Schutte
Apr 15, 2024

Two of the biggest stars in women's college basketball wanted to make a difference off the court while in California last week. Iowa's Caitlin Clark and Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo served as coaches for Special Olympics Southern California while in the area for the Wooden Awards.

Both Clark and Hidalgo were in the Los Angeles area last week to be honored for special awards. Clark was named the Naismith National Player of the Year (women's basketball) for the 2024 season. It was her second consecutive honor.

Hidalgo received the 2024 Dawn Staley Award, presented to the best point guard in women's college basketball.

While in the Los Angeles, Clark and Hidalgo appeared at the Special Olympics Southern California to coach a basketball game. The social media teams from both programs shared photos and videos from the event.

Here's the video from the Iowa women's basketball account.

Coach Clark reporting for duty 🫡

Had a blast hanging out with athletes from Special Olympics Southern California! @WoodenAward x @CaitlinClark22 #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/Ux9dRdcZZD
— Iowa Women's Basketball (@IowaWBB) April 12, 2024

Notre Dame also shared images and videos from Hidalgo's experience.

call her coach 🫡

having some fun with special olympics at the @WoodenAward!!#GoIrish☘️ // @HannahHidalgo pic.twitter.com/ESpEo4zH8p
— Notre Dame Women's Basketball (@ndwbb) April 12, 2024

It looks like the event was a tremendous experience for everyone involved. It was particularly fun to see Clark and Hidalgo show such enthusiasm and excitement in their coaching debuts.

Clark finished the 2023-24 season averaging 31.6 points, 8.9 assists and 7.4 rebounds per game. She led the Hawkeyes to a Big Ten Tournament title and a second straight trip to the national championship. The Hawkeyes were defeated by South Carolina, which finished the season with an undefeated record.

Hidalgo ended her freshman campaign averaging 22.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 4.6 steals per game at Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish won the ACC Tournament and earned a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Notre Dame was defeated by Oregon State in the Sweet 16.