In front of 8,000 fans gathered at Iowa for an end-of-season celebration, NCAA superstar Caitlin Clark spoke on the honor of having her number 22 jersey retired by the school.
“You’ve all inspired me as much as I inspired you, you allowed me to live out my dream every single day, and for that, I’m very thankful,” Clark told the fans. “It’s been very special, and this place will always be home to me.”
She finished her time with the Hawkeyes as the all-time leading scorer in college basketball, totalling 3,951 points, while averaging 28.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and 8.2 assists.
The 2024 projected number one WNBA Draft pick was asked how it feels knowing that no one will ever wear the number 22 for Iowa again.
“It’s super incredible, something I’m very thankful for,” she said. “There’s been a lot of good 22’s who have come before me and played for this program,” Clark added, “whether it was Kathleen Doyle or Sam Logic. That number holds a lot of weight, far beyond me. I’m really grateful, and it will be a special day when it happens.”
Clark ended her college career without a national championship, having lost in the championship game these past two seasons.
But as an individual, she collected two major college basketball accolades – the Naismith National Player of the Year and Wooden Award – for the second season running.
Clark’s impact on women’s college ball was immense, evidenced by the NCAA Final, which recorded a viewership of 18.9 million.
The men’s Final had 14.8 million viewers.
Before she’s even been drafted, the effects Clark will have on the WNBA are already being felt.
The Indiana Fever, who have the number one pick, have already started moving games to different arenas to house the extra fans Clark will bring in.
The Fever will also have 36 of their 40 games nationally broadcast compared to just the one game last season.
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