Caitlin Clark's dad joked, 'It's about time,' after his daughter was named college basketball's National Player of the Year

• Iowa Hawkeyes superstar Caitlin Clark is women's college basketball's National Player of the Year.
• The 6-foot point guard called her parents with the news after she learned she'd won the honor.

Caitlin Clark is women's college basketball's National Player of the Year.

The Iowa Hawkeyes superstar ranks third in the country with a whopping 27.3 points per game and adds a Division I-leading 8.6 assists each contest. She also leads all players, men or women, with five triple-doubles on the season — including a mammoth 41-point triple-double to power her program to its first Final Four in 30 years.

Despite all of her accomplishments and historic feats throughout her three years playing NCAA basketball — just last season, she led the country in both points and assists — the sport's top individual prize had eluded her.

Until now — and "it's about time," according to her dad.

Clark fittingly learned she'd earned the massive honor during a visit to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital. After several of the facility's patients congratulated her on her success and wished her luck in the Final Four via video, Hawkeyes head coach Lisa Bluder broke the news that Clark won Player of the Year.

"It wouldn't be possible without every single one of you, and I really mean that," Clark said to her coaches through tears. "I'm lucky that I'm here, because I know it probably wouldn't be possible at other places.

"Thanks for believing in me and having my back," she added.

One person who, apparently, had total faith in the 6-foot point guard was her father, Brent. Whereas Clark's mom was filled with emotion over the news of what her daughter had achieved, her dad expressed satisfaction that she'd finally gotten the recognition he felt she'd long deserved.

"Needless to say it's been a great journey so far," he said. "Let's just make it even greater."

He was, of course, referencing Iowa's trip to the Final Four. Clark and the Hawkeyes are set to face the reigning champion and top overall seed South Carolina Gamecocks — who are undefeated on the season — in Friday night's national semifinal. Fans can tune in to ESPN at 9 p.m. to catch all the action.