The Iowa women’s basketball program announced Wednesday that it will officially retire the No. 22 in honor of Caitlin Clark, whose collegiate basketball career ended on Sunday when the Hawkeyes lost to South Carolina in the NCAA tournament national championship game.
Going forward, no future Iowa players will sport the iconic No. 22 jersey. Clark is just the third Hawkeye women’s basketball player to have her number retired after Megan Gustafson (No. 10) and Michelle Edwards (No. 30).
Iowa athletics director Beth Goetz announced the decision at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in front of Clark and fans on Wednesday night.
“We always knew your jersey would be hanging in the rafters,“ Goetz said at the ceremony, via The Gazette. ”It is a privilege for me to now make that official. You will be the last to wear No. 22.“
— Iowa Women’s Basketball (@IowaWBB) April 10, 2024
Clark then paid homage to the No. 22s that came before her in the Hawkeyes program.
“That number holds a lot of weight, far beyond my name,” Clark said. “I’m really grateful, it’ll be a special day when it happens.”
“That number holds a lot of weight, far beyond my name. I’m really grateful it’ll be a special day when it happens.” 👀
Caitlin Clark speaks on hearing her jersey will be retired at CHA.
Watch on @BigTenPlus pic.twitter.com/ZRqPzrXYTU
— Big Ten Women’s Basketball (@B1Gwbball) April 11, 2024
Clark had an all-around historic 2023–24 season to finish off her legendary college career. To name a few of her accomplishments, Clark became the NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer in points, Iowa’s all-time women’s leading scorer and the Big Ten’s all-time women’s leader in assists and points.
The 22-year-old declared for the WNBA draft, which takes place on Monday, April 15. She is expected to be selected with the No. 1 pick by the Indiana Fever.
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