Paid homage to a family friend

Caitlin Clark‘s No. 22 jersey is not just a piece of sports merchandise; it’s a symbol of excellence in women’s basketball. Fans at Carver-Hawkeye Stadium proudly wear “Clark” on their backs, highlighting her rising stature in the sport.

It's Official: Caitlin Clark is Coming to the WNBA (And We Know Where She's Going)

However, in a recent game against Illinois, a different name graced the back of Clark‘s jersey. The No. 4 Hawkeyes secured a commanding 101-85 victory, and amidst the sea of black and yellow in the stands, pink took center stage on the court.
LeBron James compares Caitlin Clark to the best scorers in the NBA

The pink uniforms were part of the Play 4 Kay initiative, dedicated to raising awareness and funds for breast cancer research in honor of the late Coach Kay Yow.


In a touching gesture, the names on the players’ jerseys were not their own. Clark sported “Keough” on her jersey, paying homage to family friend Dan Keough, who battled colorectal cancer in 2012. The entire Iowa team followed suit, each player donning a different name to commemorate loved ones during the breast cancer awareness game.

The tribute brought more than symbolic significance for Clark. The senior athlete notched her sixth triple-double of the season and 16th of her career. Clark‘s stellar performance included 24 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists against the Fighting Illini.

 

Who is Dan Keough?

Keough, the honored name on Clark’s jersey, is the chairman and CEO at Holmes Murphy & Associates, an Iowa alum who has followed Clark’s basketball journey since her fourth grade.

In 2022, when Clark first honored Keough, he expressed his “honor” at having his name on her jersey.

Iowa’s Kate Martin (20) looks to pass against Illinois Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

“I’m honored to have @CaitlinClark22 wearing my name on her jersey at tonight’s game,” he wrote.

“Caitlin’s grit, spirit, competitive nature, and positivity that draw fans to her are the same characteristics those fighting cancer have to exhibit to compete with the disease.”