IOWA CITY, Iowa — Officially, the recognition was for everything Caitlin Clark did for Iowa basketball.

The scoring records. The titles. The back-to-back appearances in the national title game.

Long before her No. 22 jersey was hoisted into the rafters Sunday afternoon, though, it was obvious this was so much more. Clark transcended her sport, forever changing the way the world sees women and women’s athletes, and this was her fans’ chance to thank her for it.

They were lined up outside several hours before tipoff. Well before the doors opened, even. Sure, it was unseasonably warm out, but this is still the Midwest and it is still February.

When fans were finally allowed inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena, students rushed to grab first-come, first-serve seats while season ticket-holders went to theirs at a more leisurely pace. Most wore Clark’s number. Or T-shirts referring to her. “You break it, you own it.” The word “HER” imposed on the state of Iowa.

When Clark took her seat, a few minutes before the game began, a roar went up as if she’d just made a game-winning 3.

“It’s been fun looking back on this whole past year and everything that’s been able to happen, just the journey we went on,” Clark said before the game. “It’s kind of a weird feeling coming back here and not being able to play, but it’s just a really exciting time still for this program. I’m very fortunate to be a part of it.”

Women’s basketball has always had a following at Iowa, and women’s sports was on an upward trajectory before Clark started knocking down circus shots. But she has captured attention in a way few women athletes have, and that has made an impact on and off the court.

Iowa made more from ticket sales for the women’s team last year than they did the men’s, and season tickets were sold out again this season. Sponsors and investors are tripping over themselves to get a piece of women’s sports.

The “Nobody cares!” crowd has crawled back into their holes, knowing they’d only be embarrassing themselves if they tried to diss and dismiss women’s sports. The girls and young women who cheer Clark look at her and know they can be anything they want.

Even more important, the boys and men who watch her know that, too.

“The positive image you’ve brought to this basketball program, this university, this state, women’s basketball nationally is unmeasurable,” former Iowa coach Lisa Bluder, who retired after last year’s run, told Clark during the retirement ceremony.

“I’ve spent my entire career trying to empower young women. But you’ve done more of that in the last four years than anybody could imagine,” she added. “You showed why it’s wise to invest in women’s sports. Why it’s wise to invest in women.

“It’s not only the right thing to do,” Bluder said, her words almost drowned out by the roaring crowd, “it’s the smart thing to do.”

While Clark can see the larger crowds and increased interest for women’s sports, it’s one thing to recognize it and another to truly comprehend it. That probably won’t fully happen until she’s done playing.

But Sunday’s game gave her a glimpse of what ‘the Caitlin Clark effect’ looks like from the other side.

The Hawkeyes have, understandably, struggled after losing not just Clark but Kate Martin and Gabbie Marshall, but they came out roaring against fourth-ranked USC. The Trojans didn’t have a field goal until JuJu Watkins hit a 3 with 26 seconds left in the first quarter, and Iowa led by as much as 19 midway through the second quarter.

USC rallied, though, and it was a back-and-forth game throughout the second half until Lucy Olsen got hot down the stretch in the fourth quarter.

Sitting in the stands with her boyfriend, brothers and parents, Clark waved her hands and pointed when Iowa had the ball, as if trying to direct the Hawkeyes where to go, and she leapt to her feet every time Iowa took a shot. As Iowa began pulling away, Clark was standing the whole time, leaning forward and screaming encouragement to the Hawkeyes.

The noise throughout the arena was deafening, as thrilling an atmosphere as you’ll find in basketball, at any level, men’s or women’s. When the final buzzer sounded on Iowa’s 76-69 win, the student section poured onto the court to celebrate.

HIGHLIGHTS: Iowa upsets USC as Caitlin Clark’s jersey is retired

“The energy from everybody, it was electrifying,” said Watkins, the sophomore phenom who is poised to be the game’s next rock star and might someday challenge Clark’s records.

“It’s just a testament to what Caitlin’s done and what direction the sport is heading,” Watkins added. “I’m super grateful to have a part in it and be able to showcase my talents and what the women’s game can do.”

That is Clark’s true legacy.

The jersey in the rafters, the retired number, it’s a tangible reminder of her achievements as a player. But Clark’s greatness is so far-reaching and so transformative, there isn’t a banner big enough to adequately reflect it.

‘It was great to see the love that she gets,’ said Watkins, who along with the entire USC team stayed on the court to watch Clark’s jersey be retired. ‘I’m a big fan of hers, so to see her get her flowers, it’s amazing.’

Watkins may some day have an event like this in Los Angeles when her career at USC is over. But Sunday belonged to Clark, a fitting recognition for her achievements and widespread influence.”

Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour.

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The 2025 NFL Pro Bowl was a series of competitions spread out across several days. On Sunday, things came to a close with the main dish, a flag football faceoff between the best in the AFC and NFC.

Festivities played out from Orlando, Florida at the Camping World Stadium. Sunday afternoon offered more skills events, including the punt perfect, great football race and tug-of-war.

We then got a look at the best and brightest in the game facing off sans pads in a seven-on-seven showdown. The flag football spotlight brought together names like Jared Goff, Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, giving the fans some fodder ahead of next week’s Super Bowl.

All in all, the NFC walked away with a commanding victory over the AFC giving head coach Eli Manning his third straight victory over his brother Peyton.

Here is a full recap, plus highlights from the event.

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

Byron Murphy, Jared Goff win MVP

After a commanding win from the NFC, Byron Murphy, who secured a pivotal pick-6 at the start of the fourth quarter was named Defensive MVP. Meanwhile, Jared Goff, who quarterbacked the NFC to a huge lead in the first two quarters was named Offensive MVP.

FINAL: NFC 76, AFC 63

The score was closer than the game was. The NFC was in total control from the get-go, recording numerous touchdown drives and big plays on defense that the AFC just could not keep up with.

Eli Manning is now 3-0 against his brother as coaches in the Pro Bowl. Surely, Peyton Manning is fuming at the thought.

JSN throws a pick-6

It was about time the AFC got one of their own. With so little time left in the contest, the NFC started getting cute with the ball, opting to put Seahawks’ receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba at quarterback. On his very first play, he threw a pick-6, which was called back due to an ‘illegal blitz.’ Even the announcers were unsure why it was called back. Ball don’t lie though, as two plays later, JSN would throw another pick-6, a legitimate one this time.

The NFC still leads by 13 points, but they did give Eli Manning a Gatorade shower, so that would be a shame if it wound up being premature.

AFC breaks out the double-pass for the touchdown

The game may be all but over, but the AFC still has some tricks up their sleeves. A double pass from Russell Wilson handing off to Ja’Marr Chase, who threw the ball back to Wilson, who then found Joe Mixon down the field wound up in the end zone.

The announcers said it best when they uttered, ‘Where has this been all game?’ If the AFC had been this creative all along, they might have had a chance against this NFC squad.

NFC 76, AFC 51

Blink and you’ll miss it, the NFC scored another quick touchdown drive yet again. This time, it was the other NFC West tight end, Trey McBride coming away with the score.

NFC 70, AFC 51

Too little, too late. Russell Wilson is known for his deep ball, and he showed it off with a proper ‘heave-ho’ to Ja’Marr Chase to find the end zone following the Malik Nabers touchdown. As stated earlier, the AFC has had numerous big plays, but each big play is matched by a pick-six or an NFC touchdown drive.

Baker Mayfield leads another quick touchdown drive

The NFC got their own big play from an NFC receiver on the ensuing drive, with Malik Nabers making a masterful catch in traffic followed by a touchdown grab two plays later. Quarterback Baker Mayfield has now been on the field for five plays and has recorded two touchdown passes for the NFC.

It’s 70-45, NFC on top with less than eight minutes to go.

AFC answers back, but it might be too late

After Maye’s second pick-6, the AFC turned back to Russell Wilson, who led a quick touchdown drive thanks in large part to a big reception by Brian Thomas Jr. If the game was not already a four-score affair, this may have been a masterful coaching decision from Peyton Manning. Unfortunately, this game feels all but secured for the NFC.

Byron Murphy with a dagger pick-6

At the end of the third quarter, AFC head coach Peyton Manning said ‘Win the tug of war and we’re back in it.’ The AFC not only lost the tug of war competition, but the first play of the fourth quarter saw the NFC pick off quarterback Drake Maye and run it back for a touchdown.

In the span of a minute and a half of actual game time, the NFC went from a nine-point lead to a 25-point lead, and that may be too much for even the AFC Pro Bowlers to overcome.

NFC dominates tug of war competition

It didn’t take long for the NFC to put their AFC counterparts in the foam pit in the first round. In fact, it may have taken less than 15 seconds. The second round wasn’t any better, which was to be expected with the NFC outweighing the AFC by over 100 pounds.

In all fairness, the AFC put up a better fight in the second round, but a push from Nick Bosa and company put the AFC in the foam once again. That win gave the NFC three more points. It will take a monster fourth quarter for the AFC to win. It’s 58-39.

Is Baker Mayfield the Tom Brady of flag football?

With very little time left in the third quarter, the NFC turned to 2024 Pro Bowl MVP Baker Mayfield and he didn’t disappoint. The Bucs’ quarterback led a two-play drive capped off with a touchdown pass to George Kittle to end the third quarter.

Just when you thought the AFC was getting something going, the NFC finds a way to shut it down. 55-39, NFC out in front.

AFC mounting a comeback?

After a four-and-out from the NFC, Drake Maye and company answered back with a two-play touchdown drive capped off by a 25-yard touchdown pass to Brian Thomas Jr. All of a sudden, the AFC is back within nine points after the two-point conversion to Jonnu Smith was also successful. It’s 48-39.

Drake Maye to Ja’Marr Chase touchdown

After a season of throwing to Kayshon Boutte and Ja’Lynn Polk, Drake Maye was jumping for joy after a long touchdown to Ja’Marr Chase at the Pro Bowl.

While the AFC has had a number of big plays, the NFC has been able to answer at every turn. There’s still a long ways to climb if the AFC wants to come back. It’s 48-31.

Budda Baker pick-six

The AFC just can’t catch a break. On a 4th down, Patriots’ quarterback Drake Maye couldn’t handle the pressure applied by Cowboys’ returner Kavontae Turpin, tossing a hitch route that was jumped by Cardinals’ safety Budda Baker. Without an offensive line to stop him and no DK Metcalf to chase him down, there was nothing but green grass in front of Baker from the moment he caught the ball.

The NFC has nearly doubled the AFC’s point total. They’re up 48-25.

NFC wins team obstacle course

Each team has traded wins at events. Micah Parsons made up for his lackluster Madden performance with a terrific start to the team obstacle course. The early lead provided by Parsons gave the NFC all the leeway they needed to secure the victory. We’ve still got two quarters to go plus a tug-of-war showdown, but the NFC has a very comfortable 42-25 lead.

Madden competition grants AFC three more points

In the history of the Pro Bowl Madden competition, the AFC had never won, but the team of Derwin James and Brian Thomas Jr. was able to take down the NFC’s pair of Micah Parsons and Justin Jefferson to earn the AFC three additional points heading into the second half. It’s 39-25 with the NFC out in front.

End of 2nd: 39-22, NFC leads

Although the AFC gave a valiant effort, pushing the ball far down the field in very little time, their backyard lateral play to end the quarter did not pan out. A backward pass from Brian Thomas Jr. would end up hitting the ground, rendering the play dead.

It was NFC coach Eli Manning who wound up pointing out the violation, securing the NFC’s 17-point lead moving forward.

Justin Jefferson scores again

After the AFC got the best of their defense, Sam Darnold was able to find his usual target, JJettas, for another score and another griddy, leaving the AFC with very little time in the second to close the gap. It’s 39-22, NFC.

AFC answers back

After a failed drive, the AFC answered back with a long drive that resulted in a touchdown for Jaguars’ rookie receiver Brian Thomas Jr. The AFC still trails but the team was ecstatic to get points on the board, with the team jumping into the foam pit in celebration, mimicking the NFC’s celebration after a pivotal interception earlier in today’s contest.

The AFC would fail their one-point conversion. It’s 33-22, NFC leading.

NFC 33, AFC 16

The NFC wasted no time making up for the AFC’s victory in the punt-off. Quarterback Jared Goff found Jaxon Smith-Njigba on a drag route, who weaved and bobbed between every AFC defender for a long touchdown. Although the NFC was unable to get the extra point on the fade to Mike Evans, the NFC’s defense came up big preventing Russell Wilson from leading his own touchdown drive.

Punting competition goes into sudden death

Who didn’t want the punting competition to go into extra rounds? The AFC representatives – Marlon Humphrey and Logan Cooke – matched the NFC representatives – Kyle Juszczyk and Jack Fox – step for step. The non-punters each recorded six points while the punters themselves hit seven each.

In overtime, each punter was given 30 seconds to sink as many balls as possible. Fox went first and drilled 3 punts, while Cooke lipped out each of his first three punts for the AFC. Cooke went off at the end though, hitting a buzzer-beater to tie Fox’s three points.

The punters then went into sudden death, arguably the most dramatic moment any punter has ever experienced in their football careers. Punt for punt to determine the winner. Cooke and Fox each missed their first punts. They each missed their second punts. Clearly, the pressure was getting to them.

It wasn’t until the third round when Cooke would nail his first punt. Fox was unable to match, with his punt banging off the back of the target bins, giving the AFC the win and earning them three points.

NFC 27, AFC 16.

NFC marches down the field to keep momentum: NFC 27, AFC 13

Goff led a ho-hum march down the field highlighted by a nice completion to Justin Jefferson. Staring at a fourth and goal, the Lions QB finds Malik Nabers treating across the middle for a touchdown.

Burrow finds Chase: NFC 20, AFC 13

Some familiar sites as Joe Burrow finds target Ja’Marr Chase for a touchdown. On the point-after, Burrow decided to run in the no-run zone. So, the AFC has to settle for six after the AFC couldn’t convert after the penalty was assessed.

Goff leads NFC score touchdown: NFC 20, AFC 7

The NFC wasted little time widening the gap here. The Lions’ Jared Goff gets a nice TD toss to Kyle Juszcyk from 10 yards out.

The NFC starts the game with a 14-7 lead

After Thursday’s skills events, the NFC has a cushion to start the flag football proceedings.

When is the NFL Pro Bowl on Sunday?

The NFL Pro Bowl fun kicked off this weekend with skills challenges on Thursday. But it all comes to a close with the AFC vs. NFC 7-on-7 flag football game on Sunday, Feb. 2, at 3 p.m. ET.

How to watch Pro Bowl game: TV, time and streaming

Date: Sunday, Feb. 2
Time: 3 p.m. ET
TV: ABC, Disney XD, ESPN Deportes
Streaming: ESPN+; NFL+; Fubo

Watch the NFL Pro Bowl with Fubo, which offers a free trial

Pro Bowl roster: AFC

Starters are denoted with an asterisk (*).

Quarterbacks:

Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals*
Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers (replaces Josh Allen)
Drake Maye, New England Patriots (replaces Lamar Jackson)

Running backs:

Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens*
Joe Mixon, Houston Texans
Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts

Fullback:

Patrick Ricard, Baltimore Ravens*

Wide receivers:

Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals*
Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns*
Nico Collins, Houston Texans
Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars (replaces Zay Flowers)

Tight ends:

Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders*
Jonnu Smith, Miami Dolphins (replaces Travis Kelce)

Offensive tackles:

Dion Dawkins, Buffalo Bills*
Rashawn Slater, Los Angeles Chargers*
Ronnie Stanley, Baltimore Ravens (replaces Laremy Tunsil)

Offensive guards:

Quenton Nelson, Indianapolis Colts*
Joel Bitonio, Cleveland Browns (replaces Joe Thuney)
Isaac Seumalo, Pittsburgh Steelers (replaces Trey Smith)

Center:

Tyler Linderbaum, Baltimore Ravens*
A replacement for Creed Humphrey, if there is one, has not been announced.

Defensive ends:

Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns*
Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals*
Danielle Hunter, Houston Texans (replaces Maxx Crosby)

Interior defensive linemen:

Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers*
Nnamdi Madubuike, Baltimore Ravens*
Quinnen Williams, New York Jets (replaces Chris Jones)

Outside linebackers:

Nik Bonitto, Denver Broncos*
Kyle Van Noy, Baltimore Ravens* (replaces T.J. Watt)
Joey Bosa, Los Angeles Chargers (replaces Khalil Mack)

Inside/middle linebackers:

Roquan Smith, Baltimore Ravens*
Zaire Franklin, Indianapolis Colts

Cornerbacks:

Derek Stingley Jr., Houston Texans*
Patrick Surtain II, Denver Broncos*
Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore Ravens
Denzel Ward, Cleveland Browns

Free safety:

Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh Steelers*

Strong safety:

Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore Ravens*
Derwin James, Los Angeles Chargers

Long snapper:

Ross Matiscik, Jacksonville Jaguars*

Punter:

Logan Cooke, Jacksonville Jaguars*

Kicker:

Chris Boswell, Pittsburgh Steelers*

Return specialist:

Marvin Mims Jr., Denver Broncos*

Special teamer:

Miles Killebrew, Pittsburgh Steelers* (replaces Brenden Schooler)

Pro Bowl roster: NFC

Starters are denoted with an asterisk (*).

Quarterbacks:

Jared Goff, Detroit Lions*
Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings

Running backs:

Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions*
Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers
Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons (replaces Saquon Barkley)

Fullback:

Kyle Juszczyk, San Francisco 49ers

Wide receivers:

Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings*
Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders*
Malik Nabers, New York Giants (replaces Amon-Ra St. Brown)
Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (replaces CeeDee Lamb)

Tight ends:

George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers*
Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals

Offensive tackles:

Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers*
Brian O’Neill, Minnesota Vikings* (replaces Lane Johnson)
Taylor Decker, Detroit Lions (replaces Penei Sewell)

Offensive guards:

Tyler Smith, Dallas Cowboys*
Chris Lindstrom, Atlanta Falcons*
Robert Hunt, Carolina Panthers (replaces Landon Dickerson)

Center:

Frank Ragnow, Detroit Lions*
Erik McCoy, New Orleans Saints (replaces Cam Jurgens)

Defensive ends:

Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers*
Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys*
Rashan Gary, Green Bay Packers

Interior defensive linemen:

Dexter Lawrence, New York Giants*
Vita Vea, Tampa Bay Buccaneers*
Leonard Williams, Seattle Seahawks (replaces Jalen Carter)

Outside linebackers:

Jonathan Greenard, Minnesota Vikings*
Andrew Van Ginkel, Minnesota Vikings*
Jared Verse, Los Angeles Rams

Inside/middle linebackers:

Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers*
Bobby Wagner, Washington Commanders (replaces Zack Baun)

Cornerbacks:

Jaylon Johnson, Chicago Bears*
Byron Murphy, Minnesota Vikings*
Jaycee Horn, Carolina Panthers
Devon Witherspoon, Seattle Seahawks

Free safety:

Xavier McKinney, Green Bay Packers*

Strong safety:

Budda Baker, Arizona Cardinals*
Brian Branch, Detroit Lions

Long snapper:

Andrew DePaola, Minnesota Vikings*

Punter:

Jack Fox, Detroit Lions*

Kicker:

Brandon Aubrey, Dallas Cowboys*

Return specialist:

KaVontae Turpin, Dallas Cowboys*

Special teamer:

KhaDarel Hodge, Atlanta Falcons*

Pro Bowl location

The Pro Bowl keeps the football momentum going ahead of next week’s Super Bowl clash between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs.

Skill challenges and an entertaining flag football game will unfold at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida

Orlando weather for Pro Bowl Sunday

The AccuWeather forecast for Sunday promises nice weather for fans in attendance. It will be mostly cloudy with an expected high of 79 degrees Fahrenheit.

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More than six years ago at his rookie media day availability at the start of the 2018-19 season, Luka Doncic called LeBron James his idol and favorite player growing up.

Nearly three years ago, James posted an answer on social media to the question, “Fav player ever.” James responded, “LUKA. He’s my fav player!!” After a game against Dallas near the start of the 2019 season, James called Doncic’s game “a beautiful thing to watch.”

What before Saturday seemed like an impossible pairing – there’s no way the Dallas Mavericks would trade Doncic, right? – turned into reality when the Los Angeles Lakers acquired Doncic in a stunning, league-altering blockbuster trade in which Anthony Davis heads from the Lakers to Dallas as part of a three-team deal involving Utah, role players and draft picks.

The biggest trades – and this is one of the biggest in NBA history – are the ones nobody sees coming. In this case, that includes James, who was unaware this trade was in the works and was at a post-game dinner in New York when he learned of the news from team officials after an agreement had been reached, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports under the condition of anonymity so he could speak freely.

The trade comes at a turbulent time for the NBA where dynasties have given way to parity under a new collective-bargaining agreement that restricts a team’s ability to acquire more than two All-NBA caliber players. Plus, the faces of the league are changing as James, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant move closer to retirement.

James is still working through the impact of the trade, and his feelings have not been disclosed. Is he upset the Lakers didn’t keep him in the loop on a deal that sends his good friend to another team? How thrilled is he to play alongside Doncic? We’ll get those answers.

James and Davis crafted a friendship more than 12 years ago when Davis, who had just finished his freshman season at Kentucky and was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 draft, played on the U.S. Olympic team. Their friendship grew over the years – they share the same agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul – and then Davis joined the Lakers and James in 2019. They won a title in 2020 and a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

What does this mean for James and the Lakers? James sat at a dais at All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis a year ago and answered a question I asked about his future in L.A.

“I am a Laker, and I am happy and been very happy being a Laker the last six years, and hopefully it stays that way,” James said. “But I don’t have the answer to how long it is, or which uniform I’ll be in. Hopefully, it is with the Lakers. It’s a great organization and so many greats.”

The 40-year-old James – an All-Star starter for a record 21st consecutive time in 2025 – last summer signed a two-year, $101.3 million contract. However, he has a player option for the 2025-26 season and can become a free agent again this summer. He could sign another short-term deal with the Lakers, explore playing elsewhere or retire. And remember, his son Bronny is playing for the Lakers and their G League team, and dad enjoys making up for lost time with his eldest son.

Retirement isn’t far off regardless.

“I have not mapped out how many seasons I have left. I know it’s not that many. I also don’t know if I will ‒ I was asked this question a couple days ago. Will you kind of take the farewell tour, or will you kind of just Tim Duncan it?

“I’m 50-50, I’m going to be honest, because there’s times when I feel like I guess I owe it to my fans that have been along this journey with me for two decades plus, to be able to give them that moment where it’s every city and whatever the case may be and they give you your flowers or whatever the case may be. That seems cool.

“But the other side of (it is) I’ve never been that great with accepting like praise. It’s a weird feeling for me. I never really talked about it much, but it’s just a weird feeling for me. So, to go in each city, if that’s the case – I don’t know. I’ve seen Mike’s (Michael Jordan), I’ve seen Kobe’s (Kobe Bryant). I’ve seen a lot of guys. I just don’t know how I’d feel. I don’t know if I’d feel great about it. Maybe the only child in me. Maybe.”

Some close to James are advocating for an announcement on his final season so fans can have the opportunity to see him play in person a final time.

Also, the Lakers may not be done making deals. They only gave up one first-round pick in the Doncic-Davis deal and have another first-rounder available to use in a trade before Thursday’s deadline. Could they land a defensive-minded big man and move even closer to title contention? And rejuvenate James and motivate him to play another couple of seasons?

In star-driven Hollywood, the Lakers are a star-driven team and have been for decades. They have one of the greatest of all-time at the end of his career and now a five-time All-NBA 25-year-old guard entering his prime.

It’s a fascinating dynamic, and the answers to the questions will have far-reaching, league-wide implications.

Follow NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on social media @JeffZillgitt

(This story was updated to add a new video)

Caitlin Clark’s final game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena last March was a must-watch event that drew celebrities from all over.

The same can be said for Clark’s jersey retirement on Sunday.

Prior to tipoff at Carver-Hawkeye Arena for Iowa women’s basketball’s Big Ten showdown vs. No. 4 USC, comedian and former late-night talk show host David Letterman made his way into the arena to watch the Hawkeyes and Clark’s jersey retirement.

Clark, the all-time leading scorer in NCAA college basketball history, men’s or women’s, is just the third Hawkeye to have her jersey retired, joining Megan Gustafson and Michelle Edwards to have received the honor.

Behind 28 points from Villanova transfer Lucy Olsen, Letterman watched the Hawkeyes give the fourth-ranked Trojans just their second loss of the season while sitting courtside next to former Iowa coach Lisa Bluder.

Here’s what you need to know on why Letterman was in attendance at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday:

Why was David Letterman at Iowa women’s basketball game vs USC?

It’s simpler than one might think: He’s a native of Indianapolis and a fan of the Fever, whom Clark plays for, so he wanted to show his support for her on Sunday.

As noted by Hawk Central, part of the USA TODAY Network, Letterman hosted the WNBA Rookie of the Year at Ball State in December for his Distinguished Professional Lecture and Workshop Series.

All told, Letterman is a fan of women’s basketball:

Where did David Letterman go to college?

Letterman graduated from Ball State in 1969. As noted by Ball State’s website, the university named the building for its College of Communication, Information, and Media the David Letterman Communication and Media Building in 2007.

Where is David Letterman from?

The former late night show host is a native of Indianapolis.