Caitlin Clark, the standout basketball player for the Iowa Hawkeyes, has announced her decision to enter the 2024 WNBA Draft, marking the end of her successful college career. This move comes as no surprise, considering that college athletes were granted an extra year of eligibility due to the pandemic, allowing Clark to potentially stay for a fifth season at Iowa. However, as the women's all-time leading scorer, she likely feels she has achieved enough at the collegiate level.
In a recent Instagram post, Clark expressed her excitement about entering the WNBA Draft while emphasizing that her focus remains on achieving more goals in the current season. With the Iowa Hawkeyes, she is set to play her final regular-season home game against Ohio State, where she is just 18 points away from breaking the NCAA's all-time scoring record held by Pistol Pete Maravich.
The upcoming game has garnered significant attention, with tickets for the event being the most expensive in women's college basketball history, with the cheapest seat priced at over $500. Clark acknowledges the significance of the milestone she is approaching and the company she joins among talented players who have made significant contributions to basketball.
Clark's impact on women's college basketball has been substantial, as she has played in the most-watched women's college basketball games across six different networks. Her achievements have undoubtedly raised the profile of the sport, drawing attention to women's basketball on a broader scale.
As Clark prepares for her final home game and the WNBA Draft ahead, fans and spectators eagerly anticipate witnessing her potentially break the all-time scoring record. With her remarkable talent and accomplishments, Clark has solidified her status as a basketball superstar, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of women's basketball.