Caitlin Clark, the star player of the Iowa women’s basketball team, has made the decision to forgo her final year at college and enter the WNBA draft. Clark, who is projected as the No. 1 pick by the Indiana Fever, recently broke the women’s major college scoring record with a 33-point performance against Minnesota. With 3,650 points, she is just 17 points away from surpassing Pete Maravich’s Division I overall record.
In a social media announcement, Clark expressed her gratitude to everyone who has supported her during her time at Iowa. She thanked her teammates, coaches, trainers, staff, and the Hawkeye fans who have filled Carver-Hawkeye Arena every night. She also acknowledged the support she has received from fans across the country, especially young kids.
Clark, who turned 22 in January, had the option to stay in college for another season due to the COVID waiver for the 2020-2021 season. However, she has decided to move on to the professional game and is expected to join Aliyah Boston, last year’s No. 1 pick out of South Carolina, with the Indiana Fever. The Fever has not made the WNBA playoffs since 2016.
Known for her impressive skills on the court, Clark is expected to repeat as the national player of the year this season. She has recorded 17 triple-doubles in her career, second only to Sabrina Ionescu, the No. 1 draft pick in 2020. Clark led Iowa to the Final Four last season and made history by taking them to their first-ever national championship game, although they fell short against LSU.
This season, Clark is leading Division I in scoring with an average of 32.2 points per game and assists with 8.7 per game. She will play her final regular-season home game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday against Big Ten-leading Ohio State. The Hawkeyes are also projected to secure a top 16 seed in the NCAA tournament, which means Clark could have two additional home games in the postseason.
Clark expressed her gratitude to her family and friends, acknowledging their support throughout her journey. She credited them for helping her achieve her dreams.
The 6-foot guard made history on February 15 when she broke the NCAA women’s scoring record previously held by Kelsey Plum, the No. 1 draft pick in 2017. Clark surpassed Lynette Woodard’s major-college women’s record of 3,649 points, which was set during the AIAW era before the NCAA took over governance of women’s sports.
Initially, Clark had planned to wait until the end of the season to make a decision about returning to college. However, she chose to announce her decision before senior day at Iowa. The game has already generated significant excitement, with ticket prices ranging from $408 to $5,199 on the secondary market.
Clark, a native of West Des Moines, Iowa, decided to stay in her home state for college, a decision that has paid off for both her and the Hawkeyes. The team even held a preseason game at Kinnick Stadium, home of the football Hawkeyes, which drew an impressive crowd of 55,646 fans. Every game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena has been sold out, as well as many of Iowa’s away games. Clark has also taken advantage of NIL deals with companies like Nike, Gatorade, and State Farm, which will continue as she transitions into the professional league.
This season, Clark became the first Division I women’s player to achieve over 3,000 points and 1,000 assists. She is on track to lead Division I in scoring for the third consecutive season. Additionally, she holds the record for the most triple-doubles with 30 points or more in Division I history, with six such performances.
As Caitlin Clark prepares to enter the WNBA draft, her decision marks the end of an incredible college career. Her impact on the Iowa women’s basketball program and her record-breaking performances will be remembered for years to come. Fans eagerly await her next chapter in the professional league, where she is expected to make a significant impact with her exceptional skills and determination.
