In a heartfelt ceremony at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Caitlin Clark, former Iowa guard and current WNBA player for Indiana Fever, had her jersey number 22 retired.
Caitlin Clark, returning to her alma mater not to play but to be honored, expressed feelings akin to the pre-game excitement she used to experience. The event, which followed Iowa’s 76-67 win over No. 4 USC, marked a significant milestone in her career as her number was raised to the rafters.
Clark’s presence at the event was marked by smiles as she stood at center court with her family during the ceremony. Her jersey retirement came after a remarkable college career where she became college basketball’s all-time leading scorer and led the Hawkeyes to the NCAA national championship games for two consecutive seasons.
The ceremony was attended by notable figures, including Lisa Bluder, Clark’s former coach, and Stephanie White, her current coach with the Indiana Fever. Former teammates Kate Martin and Gabbie Marshall were also present, as well as former talk-show host David Letterman, who sat courtside with USC’s coaches and players remaining to witness the event.
Jan Jensen, Iowa’s coach, reminisced about first noticing Clark’s talent back in high school, where she was determined to recruit her. Jensen described Clark as a “generational” player who has left a permanent mark on women’s basketball. Meanwhile, Lisa Bluder acknowledged Clark’s immense impact on the sport and her ability to empower women, praising her contributions over the past four years.
Clark herself reflected on her journey with the Hawkeyes and emphasized the strong team culture that was instrumental in their success. She highlighted the selflessness and accountability of her teammates, noting that such qualities are becoming rare in college sports today.
Despite the pressures that come with her growing media presence, Clark remains unfazed. She attributes her resilience to confidence in herself and her support system, which includes her coaching staff and teammates, both past and present. “I believe in myself,” she stated, recognizing the reality of external criticism but choosing to focus on her own path.
The retirement of Clark’s jersey coincided with South Carolina’s similar honor for A’ja Wilson, both having worn number 22 in college.
Caitlin Clark’s jersey retirement is not just a personal achievement but a testament to her lasting influence on college basketball and the broader realm of women’s sports.
