The Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball player will likely never wear Caitlin Clark's No. 22 jersey again.
The Iowa State Athletic Department announced Wednesday that the jersey number will be retired at a ceremony on Feb. 2 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Clark finished her collegiate career last season as the leading men's and women's scorer in NCAA Division I history and is widely regarded as a game-changer in women's athletics. Her game sense and long-range 3-point shooting drew fans in droves, both home and away, wearing her No. 22 jersey.
“I will forever be proud to be a Hawkeye, and Iowa holds a special place in my heart for more than just basketball,” Clark said. “It means so much to me to receive this honor and celebrate with my family, friends and alumni. I look up from the rafters and see my jersey next to the one I've admired for so long. It's going to feel great.'
Clark, who was drafted No. 1 overall by the Indiana Fever last spring and was named WNBA Rookie of the Year, is scheduled to attend the Hawkeyes' retirement ceremony against Southern California.
“Caitlin Clark not only redefined excellence on the court, she also inspired countless young athletes to pursue their dreams with passion and determination,” said Iowa State Athletic Director Beth Goetz. he said. “Her remarkable accomplishments 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 an inspiration to future generations. Hawkeye fans want to thank her for so many great moments.”
In the span of 17 days, from February 15th to March 3rd, Clark broke Kelsey Plumb's record to become the women's NCAA Division I all-time scoring leader and passed AIAW star Lynette Woodard as the leading college scoring leader. He became the university's all-time leading scorer, passing LSU's Pete Maravich. Career points for men and women in Division I history.
Clark led the Hawkeyes to the NCAA Championship Game each of the past two years and is the only player in Division I men's and women's basketball history to lead the conference in scoring and assists in four consecutive seasons.
