2024 has been a year to remember for Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, and Wednesday’s announcement from the University of Iowa was the cherry on top.
It all started with Clark breaking the NCAA Division I (men’s or women’s) basketball scoring record during her final season with the Iowa Hawkeyes. She also won her second Naismith Award and led the team to another Final Four.
After being drafted No. 1 overall in the WNBA, Clark continued her stellar play during her rookie season. She earned WNBA Rookie of the Year honors, made the All-Star team, was named to the All-WNBA First Team, and much more.
Just last week, the 6-foot guard was named Time Magazine’s Athlete of the Year.
Now, when fans thought that was all, Iowa announced it was retiring her No. 22 jersey on Feb. 2, 2025.
“To the rafters,” @IowaWBB captioned their post on social media.
Fans quickly shared their reactions to the news.
“The collegiate GOAT, and when she retires, the WNBA GOAT!” one fan said.
“AWESOME!!!” another wrote. “Next a statue.”
“It was only a matter of TIME,” added another.
“Well deserved GOAT!” one said.
“Well deserved to the singular most important female to ever play basketball, arguably the greatest college player ever and well on her way to becoming the GOAT in the WNBA!” wrote a fan.
“Forever goated,” another added.
Former Iowa star Caitlin Clark shows off her rings at Kinnick Stadium.
Clark, a West Des Moines, Iowa, native, finished her college career with an average of 28.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game. Over four seasons with the Hawkeyes, she played in 139 games and helped secure three Big Ten Conference tournament titles.
Iowa will honor Clark when the Hawkeyes take on women’s basketball’s next rising star, JuJu Watkins, and the USC Trojans. The game is scheduled to tip off at 1:30 p.m. ET.
