All signs point towards the WNBA gaining the greatest female basketball prospect in the game’s history, with Iowa’s sharp shooting assassin Caitlin Clark set to make the leap to the professional level.
Debate had raged for quite some time surrounding whether Clark was going to take up her remaining final year at the collegiate level, or declare for the Draft. But to start March, the Iowa guard announced via social media that now is the time to end one chapter and move onto the brighter lights.
Clark is projected to be to No. 1 pick in this year’s WNBA Draft, to be selected by the Indiana Fever come mid-April.
Some may not know the greatness of Caitlin Clark, and the records she continues to break across her four-year college career, that has led her to being compared to NBA superstar Steph Curry, as a player that has unlimited shooting range.
Her journey so far as an Iowa Hawkeye has been one that will no doubt be etched into NCAA folklore, winning numerous awards and shattering countless records.
Everything you need to know about Caitlin Clark
Who is Caitlin Clark?
Most of you may be searching this because you’ve heard about the talented female basketball player out of Iowa that has recently declared for the WNBA Draft — which has been a huge news story across the entire basketball community.
Caitlin Clark is a 6-foot point guard who has played four seasons at the University of Iowa, where she has become arguably the greatest female college basketball athlete in history. Clark has broken plenty of incredible records in her time as a Hawkeye, and is now projected to be the first-overall draft pick in 2024 WNBA Draft come April.
She has been destined for greatness from a young age, winning two gold medals with Team USA in FIBA World Cups at the youth level during high school in West Des Moines, Iowa.
This propelled her to be scouted by numerous colleges, where she ultimate decided to stay local in state of Iowa and play with the Iowa Hawkeyes. This was an interesting decision at the time considering big school such as Iowa State and Notre Dame were desperate to get her.
Throughout her college journey, Caitlin Clark has rewritten the NCAA folklore, setting herself up to be name that will be remembered for decades to come, through her incredible long-range shooting ability.
Clark is not only the NCAA Division 1 women’s all-time scoring leader, but the all-time leading scorer across both men’s and women’s, passing LSU and NBA legend Pete Maravich.
What records has she broken?
Caitlin Clark has turned into a more sensational talent than any analyst ever predicted, breaking University of Iowa, NCAA women’s, and overall NCAA records in her four year stint in the collegiate system.
Having averaged over 26.6 points per game her entire career, Clark has become the greatest scorer the NCAA Division 1 tournament has ever seen. Every year we’ve thought she can’t out-do herself, and then she beats the numbers she put up the last season.
During her Iowa Hawkeyes career, Clark has averaged 26.6 points (ppg) in her freshman year, 27-ppg inn her sophomore season, 27.8-ppg in her junior year, and in her final season before making the leap to WNBA is averaging a whopping 32-ppg.
Here are all the records she has broken that has led to her being considered one of the greatest NCAA basketball players of all-time:
- Most points in Division 1 history – both men’s and women’s – (3,667 points)
- Most 30-point performances (55) in the past 25 years
- Most 40-point performances (12) in the past 25 years
- 2nd all-time triple double maker in women’s NCAA history (17)
- Big Ten all-time leader in points, assists, 3-pointers, triple doubles
- Broke NCAA single-season record for 3-pointers
- Unanimous Big Ten Player of the Year (2022-23)
For more of her accomplishments, here’s ESPN’s Caitlin Clark record breakdown.
Why is Clark going to the WNBA now?
Caitlin Clark has made the most of her college experience, making her lock for the first overall pick come the 2024 WNBA Draft.
In the past two seasons, the number one draft pick had turned down the COVID-19 wavier of having a fifth year in the collegiate system, and both were crowned the WNBA Rookie of the Year — so fair to say Clark wants to follow that model.
Clark took to social media to announce her big decision that she is declaring for the upcoming draft, stating how excited she is for the next chapter, while paying respect to everything the University of Iowa has done for her.
“While this season is far from over and we have a lot more goals to achieve, it will be my last one at Iowa. I am excited to be entering the 2024 WNBA Draft,” Clark said.
— Caitlin Clark (@CaitlinClark22) February 29, 2024
“It is impossible to fully express my gratitude to everyone who has supported me during my time at Iowa – my teammates, who made the last four years to best; my coaches, trainers, and staff who always let me be me; Hawkeye fans who filled Carver (their home arena) every night; and everyone who came out to support us across the country, especially the young kids.”
“Most importantly, none of this would have been possible without my family and friends who have been by my side through it all. Because of all of you, my dreams came true.”
It’s fair to say the basketball world will know the name of Caitlin Clark even more some April when the draft happens, and she’ll always be remembered in the NCAA as a record breaker for years to come.
