As just a 12-year-old in Des Moines, Iowa, Caitlin Clark received her first offer to play basketball at the collegiate level. The sharpshooter attended countless visits at every top basketball school in the nation, including the University of Notre Dame, University of Texas and University of Oregon, but knew she wanted to stay close to home. By the end of 2019, Clark had made her decision and wrote her letter of intent to play Division 1 basketball at the University of Iowa. That one decision to go to Iowa would soon change the number four recruit in the nation’s life and career forever.
Clark got right to work for the Hawkeyes as a freshman, starting in all 30 games, earning Big Ten Freshman of the Year. In just her rookie season, Clark already led the nation in assists (214), field goals made (266), final points (799), points per game (26.3) and 3 pointers made (116). Clark plowed through awards and records, acquiring the honor of joining Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo as the only NBA, WNBA, or college player to record back-to-back 30-point triple doubles since 2000. She continued winning Big Ten conference honors and cinching NCAA Tournament records through each year of her career. By her senior season as the National Player of the Year, she officially surpassed the Division 1 all-time leading scorer, Kelsey Plum, in a conference matchup against Michigan. However, she could not stop there just owning the women’s record, just three weeks later she dethroned “Pistol” Pete Maravich (3,667 points) as the NCAA Division 1 all-time leading scorer across both men’s and women’s basketball. By now Clark was making some noise amongst sports fans nationwide and converting thousands of casual basketball watchers into die-hard women’s basketball fans on the Hawkeye bandwagon.
Clark left her mark at Iowa and continued to be chosen as the Number One pick in the 2024 WNBA draft (to the Indiana Fever). It is nearly impossible to attend any WNBA, or large college women’s game for that matter, without seeing a black and yellow jersey reading “CLARK 22”. Therefore, Iowa City had no choice but to raise twenty-two to the rafters and retire Caitlin Clark’s jersey. The jersey retirement was announced shortly into the Hawks 2025 season, for no date other than 2/2. Iowa was set to face the nationally ranked University of Southern California. The game immediately sold out, and fans packed Carver Hawkeye Arena on that historic Sunday afternoon. Her former teammates and best friends Kate Martin and Gabbie Marshall joined Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White courtside for the intense matchup against college star Juju Watkins. Despite this sold-out game day being one of celebration for Iowa fans, all bets had USC winning this game. Somehow through four action packed quarters of swishing three pointers and lock-down defense, Iowa snatched the 76-69 upset over the Trojans, with a little help of Caitlin Clark’s magic in the air.
The excitement and energy carried through the win to Clark, current Iowa head coach Jan Jensen, and her retired head coach Lisa Bluder taking the floor to deliver meaningful speeches. Clark reflected on her historic career and incredible achievements while in Iowa City, with heartfelt thank-yous to all her loved ones in her life who helped her along every step of the journey to reach this point. Clark took it all back to where she started, stating “It was a hard decision for me when I was coming out of high school to decide where I wanted to play but I’m pretty lucky enough that I got to play here.” Caitlin Clark would not have necessarily been able to make such history without Hawkeye nation rallying behind her every step of the way. Through a roar of black and gold cheers, the large golden banner featuring the iconic block number 22 was raised to the rafters, leaving 15,000 fans staring up in awe. The ceremony could not have been more perfect for everyone to congratulate Clark for leaving her mark on “her”-story.
