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Caitlin Clark has become the world's most recognizable women’s basketball player since her rise to fame during her collegiate days with the Iowa Hawkeyes. Before coming to the WNBA this year, Clark had set a new scoring record in the NCAA Division 1, tallied the most three-point scoring in a season (201 - 2023/24), and became the Big 10 all-time assist leader.
In a resurfaced video from her time with the Hawkeyes, Clark’s superstardom was already apparent when Iowa faced European teams from Croatia and Italy.
The clip featured scrimmages between the Clark-led Iowa Hawkeyes and the European squads, which attracted many spectators including the USC men’s basketball team.
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The video had soundbites from Iowa coach Jan Jansen, who praised Clark and regarded her as one of the greatest she has ever since.
“Caitlin is wired differently, but, I believe, when you study the true great ones, they are wired differently,” Jansen said.
“She is able to throw passes that leave everybody wondering how she saw that…She makes shots that people would never dare to take. She makes those shots,” she added.
Las Vegas Aces’s guard and former Hawkeye Kate Martin also showed flowers on Clark in the clip, expressing her gratitude for her friend's recognition.
“National player of the year. Big 10 player of the year. I’m so glad that she’s getting the recognition she deserves,” Martin said.
Across 139 games in her four years with the Hawkeyes, Clark averaged 28.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game.
Clark eclipsed NBA legend Pistol Pete Maravich’s college scoring record of 3,667 points in her senior year. Clark finished her college career with 3,951 points as the NCAA Division 1’s all-time top scorer.
Caitlin Clark says her popularity could help elevate women’s basketball more
At a press conference before her WNBA debut in May, Caitlin Clark was asked about her popularity, saying that the newfound women’s basketball audience could help give other hoopers more opportunities.
“I think there’s opportunities for every single player in women’s basketball," the Indiana Fever star said. "I think the more opportunities we can give across the board, that’s what’s going to elevate women’s basketball.”
“It doesn’t need to be one or two players, and I think that even goes back to college. The parity in women’s basketball is what’s making more people want to come and watch it. I think the more you spread the love, show people, show their talents, show their teams, that’s just going to continue to elevate it. So, I think that’s the biggest thing,” she added.
Caitlin Clark has brought new audiences to the WNBA as the league enjoyed record-breaking attendance and viewership numbers during the 2024 season.
In her first year in the league, Clark became an All-Star and was named the Rookie of the Year after averaging 19.2 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, leading the Indiana Fever to the playoffs.
