Iowa now has a new star guard following Caitlin Clark’s departure from the WNBA.
Lucy Olsen is transferring from Villanova to Iowa for next season, and the Hawkeyes are looking to return to the national title game for the third consecutive season. she announced on social media.
“A new beginning,” she wrote to X along with a photo of herself in a Hawkeyes uniform.
Olsen was the NCAA’s third-leading scorer last season with 23.3 points per game behind Clark and USC star freshman JuJu Watkins.
She also led the program in assists, steals and minutes played and brought home the most improved player in the Big East.
Olsen was unanimously selected to the All-Big East first team.
During his three seasons at Villanova, Olsen started 105 games for the Wildcats and made 134 3-pointers, including 55 last season.
Clark responded to the news Wednesday with exclamation points and flame emojis to Olsen’s announcement.
Olsen’s Iowa team not only lost guard Clark, but 18th overall pick in the WNBA draft, Kate Martin, went pro and Gabby Marshall and Molly Davis graduated from the program.
Still, Iowa is expected to be one of the top programs in the sport again next season, especially with forwards Hannah Stuelke and Addison O’Grady returning to the Hawkeyes.
All of that undoubtedly influenced Olsen’s decision, along with the fact that she’s likely to play at Iowa.
Olsen’s time at Villanova also included a trip to the Sweet 16 during her sophomore year, after she and the Wildcats lost in the second round her freshman season.
Last season was the first time Olsen’s team failed to qualify for the NCAA Tournament, but reached the finals of the Women’s Basketball Invitational Tournament, losing to Illinois.
