Regarding her fifth-year decision to attend Iowa or play for the WNBA, Caitlin Clark said, “I’m just going to trust my gut.”
Superstar from Iowa Caitlin Clark isn’t sure if she wants to join the WNBA or come back for a fifth season in 2024–2025.
“I’m going to follow my instincts,” declared Clark. “In the end, I believe that to be the most important thing I should trust. When it’s time for me to decide whether to stay or leave, I will know.
Clark likened her choice for the following year to being recruited straight out of high school. The 21-year-old claimed that although she was aware of many “excellent” possibilities for where to play collegiate basketball, Iowa was her first choice because it felt right.
Regarding her impending choice, Clark remarked, “It’s actually not something I think about every single day.” “I don’t let it get to me down.” I’m committed to making this team the best it can be, and you will all be informed as soon as I make that decision. The most important thing, in my opinion, will be to just follow my instincts and trust them.
After leading the Hawkkeyes to their first NCAA title game appearance in April—a game they lost to LSU in—Clark will be returning to Iowa this fall for her senior season. She was the recipient of the 93rd AAU James E. Sullivan Award last month, which is granted to the best American athlete competing at the collegiate or Olympic levels each year.
This year, the expectations for both Clark and Iowa will be enormous. Clark has 2,717 points after 100 games and three seasons. In a game last year, she averaged 27.8 points and 8.6 assists.
Clark is predicted to be the first choice in the 2024 WNBA Draft if she decides to leave Iowa. In 2024, LSU standout Angel Reese—whom Clark faced in the NCAA championship game—will also be qualified to play in the WNBA.
What makes attending the WNBA worthwhile?
Clark will have accomplished more individually than any player in the history of women’s collegiate basketball if her season is even close to average. After overtaking Kelsey Plum of Washington, who scored 3,527 points between 2014 and 2017, Clark is expected to become the highest scoring player in women’s basketball history.
In addition to becoming the first player in women’s basketball history to record more than 1,000 points and 300 assists in a single season, Clark topped the country with 1,055 points, shattering the Big Ten single-season record. Clark is a fierce rival. She could only put herself to the test by playing against the top basketball players in the world.— Writer Scott Dochterman of Iowa
Why complete Year 5 at Iowa?
For Clark, this may ultimately come down to a gut feeling vs rational conclusion. Even outside of collegiate athletics, she is by far the most well-liked athlete in Iowa. Nile Kinnick is arguably the most revered athlete in Iowa history. It’s her efficacy rather than just her physical ability. She is a lively, upbeat individual who can interest people of all ages, from eight weeks to eighty years.
In addition, Clark has a number of high-profile NIL deals, including grocery chain Hy-Vee, Nike, Buick, and Bose. Compared to a professional athlete, Clark might have greater earning potential and greater recognition in college if she had the University of Iowa and the Big Ten to support her. All of the tickets for Iowa women’s basketball are sold out, and the nine opponents of Iowa averaged 3,482 more spectators on the road than the team’s season average.
“I desire her return. Everyone wants her back,” said Lisa Bluder, the coach of women’s basketball. But she has a choice.
