Iowa announced Wednesday it will retire women’s basketball star Caitlin Clark’s No. 22 jersey — appropriately enough on Feb. 2.
The Hawkeyes will face Southern California that day at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City and Clark will be in attendance.
Clark, 22, set the all-time NCAA Division I scoring record for men and women with 3,951 points at Iowa (2020-24) before becoming the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft.
“I’m forever proud to be a Hawkeye, and Iowa holds a special place in my heart that is bigger than just basketball,” Clark said in a statement. “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.”
Clark guided the Hawkeyes to three Big Ten tournament titles and back-to-back national championship games, earning consensus national player of the year honors in 2022-23 and 2023-24.
“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,” Iowa athletic director Beth Goetz said. “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.”
Clark earned WNBA Rookie of the Year honors in 2024 and helped the Indiana Fever reach the playoffs for the first time since 2016. The guard also earned All-Star and All-WNBA first-team honors and led the league with a record 337 assists.
–Field Level Media