Iowa Basketball Star Caitlin Clark Declares for WNBA Draft
In a stunning announcement, Iowa basketball star Caitlin Clark revealed on Thursday that she will be entering the 2024 WNBA Draft. This news comes just weeks after Clark broke the NCAA women’s scoring record, solidifying her status as one of the most talented players in college basketball.
Clark, who made the announcement with one game remaining on the regular-season schedule, expressed her excitement about taking the next step in her basketball career. “While this season is far from over and we have a lot more goals to achieve, it will be my last one at Iowa,” Clark wrote on social media. “I am excited to be entering the 2024 WNBA Draft.”
The Indiana Fever, who hold the No. 1 pick in April’s draft for the second consecutive season, will likely select Clark to join their roster. She will join forces with Aliyah Boston, the 2023 No. 1 pick and Rookie of the Year, to form a promising young core in Indiana.
Despite leaving Iowa after her fourth NCAA season with one year of eligibility remaining, Clark has decided to forgo that extra season and turn pro at the age of 22. Her decision is fueled by her desire to compete at the highest level and make an impact in the WNBA.
Before embarking on her professional career, Clark hopes to lead Iowa to an NCAA championship, the only achievement missing from her illustrious college résumé. As a junior in 2023, she won consensus National Player of the Year honors while leading the Hawkeyes to the national championship game. Unfortunately, they fell short against LSU, denying them the title.
Clark’s exceptional performance on the court has made her the favorite to sweep national individual honors once again in 2024. She has had a historic season, surpassing Kelsey Plum as the NCAA women’s all-time scoring leader. With a career-high 49-point performance in a game against Michigan, Clark surpassed Plum’s record of 3,527 points.
Currently, Clark is averaging an impressive 32.2 points and 8.7 assists per game, along with 7.4 rebounds and 1.7 steals. Her shooting percentages are equally impressive, with a 46.9% field goal percentage and a 39.5% success rate on 3-point attempts.
Clark’s exceptional talent and determination have put her within striking distance of another milestone. She is just 18 points away from surpassing Pete Maravich’s NCAA scoring record of 3,667 points in three seasons at LSU. If all goes well, Clark could achieve this feat in Iowa’s regular-season finale against Ohio State.
The upcoming game against the No. 2 Buckeyes holds significant implications for NCAA tournament seeding. Clark and her sixth-ranked Hawkeyes will be looking to secure a victory and solidify their position heading into the tournament.
As Caitlin Clark prepares to take her talents to the WNBA, basketball fans eagerly await her professional debut. With her incredible scoring ability, playmaking skills, and determination to succeed, Clark has the potential to make a significant impact in the league. As she bids farewell to Iowa, she leaves behind a legacy of excellence and a bright future ahead.