Who knew a 22-year-old would break all-time WNBA records in her rookie year? Caitlin Clark came, hit the ground running, and conquered. Her heroics for the Iowa Hawkeyes, where she became the NCAA Division I all-time scoring leader with 3951, laid the vital foundation for this historic season. Naturally, the university became known as the one that produced a generational athlete in Clark.
Because of this newfound surge in fame, it is also attracting top collegiate talent, with the spotlight on Clark’s replacement, Lucy Olsen. Though Olsen has already declared that she is “not going to try to be her (Clark)”, Iowa has already built a huge fan following because of Clark. But with the 6’ft Guard already writing a new story with the Indiana Fever, Iowa’s new coach, Jan Jensen, wants to move on from this phase.
“Why the fanbase is so amazing is because they appreciated everything that was, but they are really excited to watch everything that will be,” she said during the Big Ten Women’s Basketball media day. She made it very clear that the Iowa Hawkeyes are completely focused on creating a better reality than continuing to focus on the Caitlin Clark effect.
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“As a coach, everybody in this media day at the Big Ten, we all understand that we have to turn that page. We usually get to the next chapter before anybody else. And I’m so excited about this chapter,” she added, pointing to Lucy Olsen sitting beside her.
via Getty
ARLINGTON, TX – MAY 3: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever smiles during the game against the Dallas Wings during the WNBA Preseason Game on May 3, 2024 at the College Park Center in Arlington, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photos by Cooper Neill/NBAE via Getty Images)
Clark averaged 28.4 points, 8,2 assists, and 7.1 rebounds in her 4-year Hawkeyes stint, shooting 46.2% from the field. Her number 22 jersey was also retired by Iowa in an emotional ceremony in front of 8000+ fans. Though it would be unfair for the team to expect the same level of performance from Olsen, the ex-Villanova alum is more than ready.
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Caitlin Clark inspires her Iowa replacement Lucy Olsen to achieve greatness
The beginning of 2024 in the world of women’s basketball belonged to Caitlin Clark. Her playmaking ability, 31.6-point average, and a nation-leading 8.9 assists per game in the 2023-24 season were unheard of. Lucy Olsen, who averaged 23.3 points for the Villanova Wildcats, ranking third after Clark and USC’s JuJu Watkins, couldn’t help but tune in to the Hawkeyes’ games.
“They were so fun to watch. Caitlin Clark was so amazing,” Olsen told the Des Moines Register in April after joining the Hawkeyes. “And I tried to learn from Caitlin. Every night, just trying to learn from her. I tried to pick up her change of pace and how she does it.” The #3 Guard also gratefully termed her Iowa transfer as the “perfect opportunity to try to make something happen.”
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Olsen was also named the Big East Most Improved Player, having double-digit scoring in 33 of 35 games. Though she has a massive expectation weight to shoulder, the Iowa fans are most loyal. Moreover, their support for the newer players will only amplify after watching Clark excel on the biggest stage in American basketball.
The Fever might’ve exited in Round 1 of the playoffs, but Clark fulfilled her “childhood dream”. She has set the stage for more youngsters to follow in her footsteps. That nationwide impact will always be bigger than the statistics and records she breaks.
