On Wednesday, the Iowa Hawkeyes announced that Caitlin Clark’s No. 22 jersey will be retired by the school. This significant honor was revealed by athletic director Beth Goetz during a celebration with fans and the women’s basketball team at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Goetz expressed that it was always known that Clark’s jersey would one day hang in the rafters, making it official that she would be the last to wear No. 22 for the Hawkeyes.
Clark, who has just completed her successful collegiate career, joins Megan Gustafson and Michelle Edwards as the only players in program history to have their numbers retired. The star guard expressed her gratitude for this recognition, acknowledging the weight that the number 22 carries given the history of players who have worn it before her. Clark mentioned former players like Kathleen Doyle and Sam Logic as examples of those who have left a legacy wearing the same number.
Clark has received multiple accolades throughout her career, including being named the Wooden Award National Player of the Year for two consecutive years and being expected to be the top overall pick in upcoming WNBA Draft. With an NCAA Division I all-time leading score and numerous program records under her belt, Clark has solidified her place in women’s basketball history books.
Despite coming up short in national title game, Clark and Hawkeyes made a significant impact during tournament, drawing in a record number of viewers with 18.7 million people tuning in to watch Iowa vs South Carolina matchup . Networks have already committed to broadcasting 36 out of 40 games next season , hoping to continue “Caitlin Clark Effect” which has captured attention of basketball fans nationwide as she prepares to take her talents professional level with Indiana Fever .
