Caitlin Clark, the star player of the Iowa women’s basketball team, has announced that she will be forgoing her final year at Iowa and declaring for the WNBA Draft. Clark, who is projected as the No. 1 pick by the Indiana Fever, made the decision after breaking the women’s major college scoring record with a 33-point performance in a game against Minnesota. With 3,650 points, she is just 17 points away from surpassing LSU’s Pete Maravich, who holds the Division I overall record for both men’s and women’s basketball.
In a heartfelt message on social media, Clark expressed her gratitude to everyone who has supported her throughout 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-19 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, who had 26 for the Oregon Ducks from 2016-2020. Last season, Clark led Iowa to the Final Four for the second time in program history and helped them reach the national championship game for the first time, 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.
The decision to declare for the WNBA Draft was not an easy one for Clark, but she expressed her gratitude to her family and friends who have supported her throughout her journey. She acknowledged that her dreams have come true because of their unwavering support.
Clark’s achievements on the court have been remarkable. On February 15, she set the NCAA women’s scoring record, surpassing Kelsey Plum’s record set in 2017. She also became the first Division I women’s player to reach 3,000 points and 1,000 assists in a career. With six triple-doubles of 30 points or more, she holds the record for the most in Division I history.
Clark’s decision to stay in her home state of Iowa for college has proven to be a wise one. The support she has received from the Hawkeye fans has been overwhelming. Iowa 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.
In addition to her success on the court, Clark has also capitalized on name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals. Companies like Nike, Gatorade, and State Farm have partnered with her, and these deals will continue as she transitions into the professional league.
As Caitlin Clark prepares to take the next step in her basketball career, her impact on the Iowa women’s basketball program will not be forgotten. Her record-breaking performances, leadership, and dedication have left a lasting legacy. Fans will have one last opportunity to see her play at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday, and it is sure to be an emotional and memorable game.
