IOWA CITY, Iowa — Caitlin Clark recently returned to the Iowa Hawkeyes’ Carver-Hawkeye Arena, not to compete in a game but to commemorate a significant milestone in her basketball journey: the retirement of her iconic number 22. This ceremony took place following the Hawkeyes’ 76-67 victory over No. 4 USC, marking a year since she wrapped up her remarkable college career.
Stretching her emotions at this touching event, Clark reminisced about the familiar “butterflies” one experiences in the arena. “I feel like I already have those butterflies in your stomach when you walk in,” she shared during a pregame press conference. Although she wasn’t there to battle on the court, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement and nostalgia. “I think it will definitely be a little bit more emotional that I don’t have to compete,” she admitted, reflecting on her past exploits.
As the ceremony unfolded, Clark stood at center court alongside her family while her jersey ascended to the rafters, beaming with joy. This tribute was a fitting finale to her historic tenure at Iowa, where she not only set the record as college basketball’s all-time leading scorer but also led the Hawkeyes to consecutive NCAA championship appearances in her final seasons.
The event garnered a full house of 14,998 attendees, including Clark’s former coach Lisa Bluder and Stephanie White, her current WNBA coach with the Indiana Fever, who are set to host an exhibition game at Iowa next season. Among the audience were her former teammates Kate Martin and Gabbie Marshall, as well as renowned figure David Letterman. Notably, the USC coaches and players remained on the court post-game to participate in the occasion. “I’m sure it wasn’t cheap to get in,” Clark jokingly remarked during the ceremony, lightening the sentimental mood.
Iowa coach Jan Jensen spoke fondly of her first encounter with Clark during her freshman year at West Des Moines Dowling High School. Jensen recounted how the coaching staff seriously committed to ensuring Clark’s success, declaring, “We are so thankful that we were the last one standing.” She added that Clark is “truly generational” and credited her for creating a lasting impact on women’s basketball.
Bluder also paid tribute to Clark, expressing her appreciation for the positive influence she has had on the university, the state, and women’s basketball across the nation. “The positive image that you’ve brought… is unmeasurable,” Bluder noted, emphasizing the empowering legacy that Clark has fostered throughout her career.
In a moment of reflection, Clark acknowledged her time with the Hawkeyes, where they reached four NCAA tournaments and claimed three Big Ten Tournament titles. She attributed their achievements to a strong team culture: “The winning came because of the great culture that we had,” she remarked, highlighting the selflessness and accountability present among her teammates.
Clark has also adapted to her increasing prominence in the media spotlight, whether attending concerts or sharing a suite with Taylor Swift at an NFL playoff game. She recognized the scrutiny that accompanies her fame but emphasized her confidence: “I feel like one of my greatest skills is I really don’t care,” she stated, reinforcing her belief in herself and her teammates. “Nobody gets to step inside of your locker room. Everybody thinks they know everything and have an answer, but that’s just not reality.”
On this memorable day, Clark’s jersey was honored alongside A’ja Wilson’s, who also sported the number 22 during her collegiate years at South Carolina. The simultaneous celebrations added to the profound significance of the occasion, marking the impact both athletes have made on the landscape of women’s basketball.
