In a season of record-breaking performances, Caitlin Clark, the prodigious scorer from the University of Iowa, has left an indelible mark on women's college basketball. Her collegiate career culminated in a loss to South Carolina in the women's national championship game, but her legacy extends far beyond the final score.
Clark, who has been hailed as the greatest scorer in NCAA Division I basketball, ended her career with an impressive 3,951 points, averaging 31.6 points per game this season and 28.4 over 139 career games. Her senior season was punctuated by a series of milestones and shattered records. In a 17-day span from Feb. 15 to March 3, Clark surpassed Kelsey Plum's record to become the all-time women's NCAA Division I scoring leader, overtook AIAW legend Lynette Woodard for the major college scoring record, and eclipsed LSU legend Pete Maravich for most career points in Division I history for men and women.
Clark's prowess on the court was not limited to scoring. She also recorded 59 30-point games, the most by a Division I player in the past 25 seasons, and 17 triple-doubles, ranking second in D-I history behind Sabrina Ionescu. Her 13 40-point games were the most by any D-I player over the past 25 seasons.
Despite the accolades, Clark's focus remained on the team. "I would say you’ve all inspired me as much as I inspired you," Clark told the approximately 8,000 fans at Iowa’s Carver-Hawkeye Arena during a celebration commemorating the Hawkeyes’ second consecutive national runner-up finish in the NCAA Tournament. "And you allowed me to live out my dream every single day, and for that, I’m very thankful. It’s been very special, and this place will always be home to me.”
Clark's impact extended beyond the court. She was instrumental in growing the game and drawing attention to women's college basketball. Her performances attracted sellout crowds and set attendance records, with the Hawkeyes drawing 238,620 fans during the regular season.
Clark's jersey number 22 will be retired, the third number to be retired in program history, a testament to her influence and contribution to the sport. As she prepares to enter the 2024 WNBA draft, where she is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick by the Indiana Fever, Clark leaves behind a legacy of records, inspiration, and a new standard for women's college basketball.
More for you:
- Caitlin Clark Iowa tracker: March Madness updates, stats, more
- Iowa vs. South Carolina: Start time, live stream, prediction, preview, how to watch the national championship
- Caitlin Clark tells fans ‘this place will always be home to me’ as she bids farewell to Iowa
- Sports from WTHR in Indianapolis, Indiana
