In an emotional post-game interview after the Las Vegas Aces became back-to-back WNBA champions Wednesday night, forward Alysha Clark dedicated the monumental win to her late father.
Per The Athletic, Clark’s father, Duane Clark, was a musician and an athlete who played football. He heavily supported the Denver native and loved that his daughter played sports like him. Sadly, he passed away in September of 2022.
Earlier this year, Clark reflected on their relationship. “He was everything. He was my biggest supporter,” Clark explained. “I mean, everything from high school through college. He was there for all the championships, pro. He was my No. 1 fan.”
Tonight, with emotions flowing, Clark explained to ESPN’s Holly Rowe why the Aces’s title-clinching win was in honor of her father.
Alysha Clark gets emotional in an interview with ESPN's Holly Rowe after the Las Vegas Aces repeat as WNBA champions. pic.twitter.com/WTukrDOTWl
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 19, 2023
Via the ESPN broadcast, Clark poured out her thoughts:
“He’s been with me all season. He’s been my sixth man. And I know he would be so happy right now, and I’m just so happy. I know he’s with me, and I wish he could be here. I wish I could call him. But this is for him. This entire season, I showed up every day because I know he loved watching me play.
“And I said, you know what, every day, every game, before the game, ‘My parents, Pops, I hope I make you proud. I hope you’re sitting there, joyous watching me play.’ That’s my prayer every day. So that’s how I show up on the floor.“
WNBA fans couldn’t help but notice such a heartfelt and soul-baring moment.
Here are the best reactions to Clark’s powerful dedication:
Feature image courtesy of ESPN.
