Caitlin Clark, who rewrote college records in four seasons at Iowa State, announced Thursday that she will enter the upcoming WNBA draft and forgo a chance to return to the Hawkeyes for a fifth year.
Clark’s decision comes just days before Iowa State’s final regular-season home game against No. 2 Ohio State on Sunday, a shadow that has loomed over her college and professional games in recent weeks. Because she set the foundation for women’s NCAA Division I and major college women’s basketball scoring records.
“The season is far from over and we have more goals to achieve,” she said in a social media announcement Thursday. Yet Clark has cleared the way for the Indiana Fever to be the No. 1 pick in April’s draft. Her professional debut promises to be one of the most anticipated games in WNBA history.
Clark’s impact was evident from the first game against the Hawkeyes in 2020. In her college debut, she scored 27 points in 26 minutes, displaying the offensive brilliance that had been a common sight throughout her career in Iowa City. She set the only 40-point triple-double in NCAA tournament history and was the only player in the NCAA era to score 3,000 points, 750 rebounds and 750 assists. She set program records for single-game points (49) and career points, totaling 3,650 points, while leading the Hawkeyes to two conference championships and their first Final Four appearance since 1993. Her team lost to LSU in the NCAA finals last season.
“I can’t fully express how grateful I am to everyone who supported me during my time at Iowa State — my teammates who made the past four years the best four years; my coaches, trainers and staff Always allowed me to be myself,” Clark said. “It’s filled with Carver’s Hawkeye fans every night; and everyone from across the country who comes out to support us, especially the kids.
— Caitlin Clark (@CaitlinClark22) February 29, 2024
“Most importantly, none of this would be possible without my family and friends who have been with me through it all. Because of you, my dream has come true.”
Beyond any statistics, Clark’s impact can be seen and felt in the frenzy of every game she plays. Of the Hawkeyes’ 32 regular-season games this season, 30 have either sold out or set women’s basketball stadium attendance records — the exception being Iowa State’s neutral-site Thanksgiving game. Prior to Thursday’s announcement, the average ticket price for Iowa State’s home finale against the Buckeyes was said to have exceeded $555, making it the most expensive women’s basketball game ever, according to TickPick. That value will only increase after word of her decision spreads. Clark’s presence also led to record television ratings, as she and Iowa participated in the most-watched women’s basketball game ever on six different networks.
The 6-foot guard said at the start of her senior season that she will “treat this year like it’s my last year.” She said she will use her gut to decide whether to stay in Iowa City or transfer. For professional players. She was given an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic and vowed not to let the choice of stay or leave stress her out. She emphasized that point Thursday while still saying she’s excited for what’s to come. Clark currently leads the nation in points (32.2) and assists (8.7) per game and is on track to earn Player of the Year honors for the second consecutive season.
In mid-December, when the Fever learned they would have the No. 1 pick for the second consecutive year, general manager Lin Dunn acknowledged that many potential prospects with return-to-school options were left with “a little bit of a question: Who are we? Maybe? Can get it.” But Dunn said she would urge any player who can make it to the WNBA to do so. “I’m ready for them to come out, go pro, move on with their lives and let other people play. I encourage them all to step up,” Dunn said.
No. 1⏳
– Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) February 29, 2024
Dunn and the Fanatics are undoubtedly excited about the opportunity to add Clark to their roster alongside 2023 No. 1 pick Aliyah Boston, who was the league’s unanimous Rookie of the Year last summer. “I think how versatile she is,” Boston told Competitor Earlier this season, we talked about what makes Clark so special. “Just her vision on the court. I think that’s really important, and I think she did a great job at Iowa State in that regard.”
Indiana, which has won just 18 games combined over the past two seasons, is looking to make the playoffs for the first time since 2016 and break the league’s longest postseason drought. Immediately following Clark’s decision, the team’s social media account posted a post reminding fans that season tickets were on sale, urging them to “get on board.” Feverkeeper Erica Wheeler posted on X (formerly Twitter) that she had received requests for tickets from friends and family, as well as some people she hadn’t heard from in a while. “I can’t help them” she says.
Clark has already partnered with major brands including Gatorade, Nike and State Farm, and her national platform will accompany her from Iowa to Indiana. The WNBA will also benefit from her presence. In its 27th season last summer, the league’s total audience across all national networks exceeded 36 million, a 27% increase from 2022 and the highest level since 2008. The league’s All-Star Game was the most-watched in 16 years, and the 2023 All-Star Game, featuring the Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty, was the most-watched in 20 years. Clark’s official arrival on Monday, April 15, when the draft is held in Brooklyn, may only accelerate that trend and interest in the sport.
“It’s going to be great for women’s basketball. When she comes in, it’s going to be great for the WNBA,” said Becky Hammon, a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer and coach of the two-time defending champion Aces. A good thing. Her game will translate.” Competitor Mid-January. “She’s special. She’s of a generation.”
Athletic team James Boyd contributed to this report.
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(Photo: Andy Lyon/Getty Images)
