Sadly, two players and the head coach of Iowa’s women’s basketball team have announced their departures from the team.
AP/IOWA CITY, Iowa On Wednesday, Caitlin Clark had her last opportunity to bid Iowa supporters farewell, and naturally, a sizable audience was present.
Along with her teammates, Clark became the all-time leading scorer in major college basketball this season and was named the unanimous national player of the year. The celebration took place at Iowa’s home arena to honor the Hawkeyes’ second consecutive national runner-up finish in the NCAA Tournament.
“I think you guys have inspired me just as much as I have inspired you,” Clark remarked to the roughly 8,000 spectators at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa. And you made it possible for me to fulfill my dream every single day; I’m incredibly grateful for that. I will always consider this place to be home because it has been so special.
In a career that began playing in front of small crowds during her freshman year when attendance was restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Clark finished with 3,951 points and 1,144 assists. She is predicted to be the first overall pick by the Indiana Fever in Monday’s WNBA Draft. Clark was an All-American in every season of her career.
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When Iowa sports director Beth Goetz announced that Clark’s jersey number 22, which is the third to be retired in program history, he was met with a standing ovation.
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Goetz told Clark, “I think they like you,” following the news.
“I’m really grateful for it; it’s really amazing,” Clark remarked. “There have been many excellent 22s who have performed for this show before me, such Sam Logic and Kathleen Doyle. That figure is significant in ways that go far beyond me. It will be a memorable day when it occurs, and I sincerely appreciate it.”
The Hawkeyes’ consecutive journeys to the national championship game were dubbed “special” by Iowa coach Lisa Bluder.
“This year was particularly noteworthy, as no one could have predicted our success,” she remarked. “Everyone except these women up here thought we could duplicate what we accomplished last year.”
