Caitlin Clark will forever call Iowa “home” as she embraces the next chapter of her basketball career.
Hours after the Hawkeyes’ 87-75 loss to the South Carolina Gamecocks in the NCAA women’s championship game in Cleveland, Clark reflected on her prolific career at Iowa in a heartfelt message shared Sunday night on X.
“Words cannot express my love for my teammates, coaches, fans and our university – Thanks for making my dreams come true.
Wearing Iowa across my chest the last four years has been an honor.
“I’m sad we lost this game, but I’m also so proud of myself, I’m so proud of my teammates, I’m so proud of this program,” Clark said postgame.
It is sad this is all over, and this is the last time I’m going to put on an Iowa jersey.
To be so close twice, it definitely hurts, but at the same time, we were right there.” “South Carolina is so good.
As Clark’s collegiate career came to a close Sunday, South Carolina coach Dawn Staley lauded the star guard for “lifting up our sport.” “I want to personally thank Caitlin Clark for lifting up our sport,” said Staley, who captured her third national championship with South Carolina, which went undefeated this season.
As she begins the next phase of her basketball career, Caitlin Clark will always consider Iowa to be “home.”.
After the Hawkeyes fell to the South Carolina Gamecocks 87-75 in the NCAA women’s championship game in Cleveland, Sunday night on X, Clark gave a heartfelt reflection on her successful time at Iowa.
“Thank you for helping me realize my dreams, teammates, coaches, fans, and our university. Words cannot express how much I love you all. It has been an honor to wear Iowa across my chest for the past four years. The 22-year-old Clark wrote, “This place will always be home.”.
In her last game as a college student, Clark broke Chamique Holdsclaw’s record for the most points ever scored in the women’s NCAA Tournament with a total of 30 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.
Clark remarked after the game, “I’m sad we lost this game, but I’m also so proud of myself, I’m so proud of my teammates, and I’m so proud of this program.”. Tears are going to fall. I will not be wearing an Iowa jersey again after this, which makes me sad.
“Winning these things is incredibly difficult. I believe that by this point, I probably know that better than most others. It hurts to be that close twice, but we were there all along. “.
“I love South Carolina. You can only take action so far. “.
In the previous spring’s national championship game, Clark and the top-seeded Hawkeyes were defeated, 102-85, by the LSU Tigers.
Last Monday, Iowa defeated LSU 95-87 to secure a spot in the Final Four.
South Carolina coach Dawn Staley praised star guard Clark for “lifting up our sport” as his collegiate career came to an end on Sunday. “.
With South Carolina, which went undefeated this season, Staley won her third national championship. “I want to personally thank Caitlin Clark for lifting up our sport,” she said.
She was a big part of our sport. We value you since you are among the greatest players ever in our games. “.
Clark has broken numerous records this season, surpassing Kelsey Plum’s 3,527 point NCAA scoring record to become the all-time top scorer in major college basketball for both men and women.
According to projections, she will be the No. The Indiana Fever presently owns the top pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft—the first overall selection.
Next Monday, the WNBA draft will take place at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
