Iowa’s Caitlin Clark Announces Decision to Enter 2024 WNBA Draft
Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark has made the decision to leave college after four seasons and enter the 2024 WNBA draft. Clark, who is currently the major-college women’s scoring leader and is on the verge of surpassing the NCAA men’s mark, announced her decision on social media. She expressed relief at getting the weight off her shoulders and being able to enjoy her last month with her teammates.
Clark had the option to stay for a fifth year of college eligibility due to the COVID-19 waiver extended by the NCAA to all student-athletes who competed in 2020-21. However, as the season progressed, she realized it was time to move on. She weighed the pros and cons but ultimately felt ready for the next chapter in her life.
While there may be some disappointment among Iowa fans, Clark expressed gratitude for the support she has received over her four years at the university. Iowa’s head coach, Lisa Bluder, understood Clark’s decision and acknowledged that her job is to support and prepare players for their next chapter. Bluder described Clark as a tremendous player and expressed her appreciation for having had the opportunity to coach her.
Clark is widely expected to be the No. 1 pick in the upcoming WNBA draft, which will take place on April 15 in Brooklyn. The Indiana Fever, who have the first pick for the second consecutive season, are seen as a perfect fit for Clark. However, she remained focused on her current goal of winning a national title with Iowa and stated that she is not looking too far ahead to the WNBA.
Clark chose to announce her decision before Sunday’s senior day celebration, where she and her teammates will be honored. She wanted the focus to be on celebrating their contributions to the program rather than speculating about her future. Throughout her career, Clark has been instrumental in the success of the Hawkeyes, helping them win two Big Ten tournament titles and reach the NCAA championship game last year.
The popularity of Clark and the team has been evident in the sold-out home games and packed arenas during road games. Clark is the reigning national player of the year and is likely to repeat the honor this season. She has achieved a remarkable feat of scoring over 3,000 points and recording over 1,000 assists, making her the first Division I women’s player to accomplish this.
With the weight of her decision behind her, Clark aims to play more freely and enjoy the rest of her final season at Iowa. She believes that playing with confidence and having fun will bring out her best basketball. As she looks forward to the WNBA draft and her professional career, Clark remains focused on making the most of her time with her teammates and striving for a national title.
Caitlin Clark’s decision to enter the 2024 WNBA draft marks a significant milestone in her basketball journey. Her talent, achievements, and impact on the Iowa Hawkeyes have solidified her status as one of the most exciting players in women’s college basketball. As she prepares to take the next step in her career, fans eagerly await her future success in the WNBA.