It's official. University of Iowa student Caitlin Clark is declaring for the 2024 WNBA draft.
The record-breaking college basketball star confirmed on Thursday, February 29, that she will forego her final year with the University of Iowa Hawkeyes and join the upcoming WNBA draft scheduled for April 15.
She shared her decision in a statement posted on her X account.
— Caitlin Clark (@CaitlinClark22) February 29, 2024
"While this season is far from over and we have a lot more goals to achieve, it will be my last one at Iowa," she shared. "I am excited to be entering the 2024 WNBA Draft."
The 22-year-old continued, "It is impossible to fully express my gratitude to everyone who has supported me during my time at Iowa — my teammates, who made the last four years the best; my coaches, trainers, and staff who always let me be me; Hawkeye fans who filled Carver every night; and everyone who came out to support us across the country, especially the young kids."
In the concluding part of the message, she expressed her thanks to her family and friends for their unwavering support.
"Because of all of you, my dreams came true," she sweetly said.
Clark's post included a picture of her on the basketball court raising one finger in the air.
The guard, who had another season of eligibility, has emerged as the current face of women's college basketball and is likely to be on the radar of all 12 WNBA teams.
However, the Indiana Fever seemed to suggest they already have an idea about who they will choose with their No. 1 draft pick once the college basketball season concludes in a couple of months.
Less than an hour after Clark's announcement, the official X account of the Fever posted a No. 1 graphic and playfully tweeted, "We’re just simply reminding you that there are only 46 days until the 2024 WNBA Draft."
we're just simply reminding you that there are only 46 days until the 2024 WNBA Draft. pic.twitter.com/23AA4xClug
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) February 29, 2024
Clark's official entry into the draft follows a monumental month for her. On February 15, she became the all-time NCAA women’s scorer, surpassing the record of 3,527 points set by Las Vegas Aces star Kelsey Plum during her collegiate career in 2017.
Just two weeks later, on February 28, Clark surpassed Lynette Woodard’s women’s scoring record of 3,649 for college basketball. It's worth noting that during Woodard's playing years from 1977 to 1981, the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women oversaw women’s college basketball.
The senior is on the verge of breaking the record for the most points by a male or female player in NCAA basketball history, currently held by Pete Maravich at 3,667 points. Clark is just 18 points away from surpassing it, and given her average of 32.2 points per game, she is likely to achieve this milestone when the Hawkeyes face the Ohio State Buckeyes on Sunday, March 3.
Although Hawkeye fans may be saddened by the prospect of their star player leaving, they will have the opportunity to savor her historic achievements a little longer. With a 25-4 record, the women’s team aims to be the last team standing as March Madness concludes with the championship game on April 7 in Cleveland, Ohio.