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Caitlin Clark is coming home.
On Wednesday, it was confirmed that Clark will return to Iowa on Feb. 2, 2025, when her famed No. 22 jersey will be retired. The date is, fittingly, 2/2. It also be the same day as the Hawkeyes’ big matchup against visiting USC and sophomore superstar JuJu Watkins.
In a statement, Clark said:
I’m forever proud to be a Hawkeye and Iowa holds a special place in my heart that is bigger than just basketball. It means the world to me to receive this honor and to celebrate it with my family, friends and alumni. It will be a great feeling to look up in the rafters and see my jersey alongside those that I’ve admired for so long.
During Clark’s tenure at Iowa, she turned the world of women’s basketball on its head. The accolades she accumulated include:
2x Naismith Player of the Year Award recipient (2023,2024)
2x Wooden Award winner (2023, 2024)
3x Dawn Staley Award recipient (2021, 2022, 2023)
2x Nancy Lieberman Award winner (2023, 2024)
2x Ann Meyers Drysdale Award winner (2023, 2024)
first-ever 2x AAU Sullivan Award winner (2023, 2024)
Clark produced some notable moments at Carver Hawkeye Arena, highlighted by two memorable buzzer beaters against Indiana (Feb. 26, 2023) and Michigan State (Jan 2, 2024). From Feb. 15 to Mar. 3, 2024, she eclipsed the scoring records of Kelsey Plum, Lynette Woodard and Pete Maravich to become the all-time leading scorer in college basketball history, women’s or men’s, with 3,951 career points. Many of which occurred at Carver Hawkeye Arena. She also helped lead the Hawkeyes to back-to-back national championship game appearances (2023, 2024).
All the while, her trademark logo 3-pointers, exciting play and humility captivated millions of fans, many of whom had not paid attention to women’s basketball. Her jersey became a hot commodity and she became a pop culture influencer, appearing on Saturday Night Live and receiving endorsements from Nike, State Farm and Gatorade. Her popularity continues to grow as she completed her first WNBA season with the Indiana Fever and captured Rookie of the Year honors. She recently was named Athlete of the Year by TIME Magazine.
On deciding to honor Clark, Iowa’s athletic director, Beth Goetz said:
Caitlin Clark has not only redefined excellence on the court but has also inspired countless young athletes to pursue their dreams with passion and determination. Her remarkable achievements have left an indelible mark on the University of Iowa and the world of women’s basketball. Retiring her number is a testament to her extraordinary contributions and a celebration of her legacy that will continue to inspire future generations. Hawkeye fans are eager to say thank you for so many incredible moments.
In April, after Iowa lost to South Carolina in the national championship game, the school announced that Clark’s jersey would be retired. Her jersey already is placed in the rafters at Carver Hawkeye Arena, waiting to be unveiled. The ceremony will precede the game on Feb. 2. Tipoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on FOX.
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