Caitlin Clark shook the basketball world by declaring for the 2024 WNBA Draft.
In her senior season, the Iowa star has captivated some of the biggest audiences women's college basketball has ever seen.
The 22-year-old already has become the NCAA women's all-time leading scorer with 3,650 points and counting, surpassing University of Washington and Las Vegas Aces star Kelsey Plum a few weeks back. She is also in hot pursuit of "Pistol" Pete Maravich's overall NCAA scoring record, sitting just 18 points shy of that crown.
With 32.2 points and 8.7 assists per game this season, Clark could be the first player in NCAA women's Division I history to lead the nation in both categories. NBA All-Star Trae Young is the only men's Division I player to accomplish that feat.
With all of these achievements and accolades, there isn't much left for Clark to accomplish at the NCAA level from an individual standpoint.
As she gears up for another Big Ten and NCAA Tournament run, the Iowa star silenced the questions about her future by announcing that she will head to the WNBA at the end of her senior season.
MORE: Caitlin Clark scoring record tracker
Caitlin Clark declares for WNBA: What Sue Bird, Sheryl Swoopes, Kelsey Plum have said about Iowa star's future
The prospect of Clark's leap to the WNBA has been met with varying opinions from some of the greatest players in the sport.
Sheryl Swoopes, a Hall of Famer, four-time WNBA champion, and three-time MVP, wasn't so confident Clark could replicate her level of production in the league right away.
"Will Caitlin Clark be a good pro? Absolutely. Will Caitlin Clark come into the WNBA and do what she’s doing right now immediately? Absolutely not. Not going to happen," Swoopes said.
Future Hall of Famer and four-time WNBA champion Sue Bird implored Clark to turn pro even before the Iowa star made her official decision.
“If I am Caitlin Clark, I am coming out of college. ... I do think she has a chance at having a lot of success early," Bird added.
Aces star Plum was adamant that Iowa should have done whatever it takes to retain Clark for one more season. She had one extra year of eligibility remaining due to a COVID-19 waiver granted by the NCAA.
"Everyone’s trying to figure out if she’s coming out or staying put, but if I’m Iowa, I’m gonna throw the kitchen sink at her, for sure,” the two-time WNBA champion said.
Clark ultimately decided she was ready for the next step in her career. She will take her talents to the W after her senior season, looking to prove that she can continue to succeed the way that she had at the collegiate level.
What year is Caitlin Clark at Iowa?
Clark is a senior at Iowa.
Since she made her Hawkeyes debut during the 2020-21 COVID-19 shortened season, she had an additional year of college eligibility if she chose to use it.
Instead, she will test her talent at the WNBA level.
How long has Caitlin Clark been at Iowa?
Clark has been at Iowa for four seasons.
She began her Hawkeyes career in 2020-21. Her scoring and assists numbers have improved every year:
| Year | Class | PPG | APG |
| 2020-21 | FR | 26.6 | 7.1 |
| 2021-22 | SO | 27.0 | 8.0 |
| 2022-23 | JR | 27.8 | 8.6 |
| 2023-24 | SR | 32.2 | 8.7 |
Over four years, Clark has earned one AP and Naismith Player of the Year award, two Big Ten Player of the Year awards, and she is a three-time All-American.
During her tenure, Iowa has lost in the Sweet 16 (2021), Round of 32 (2022), and National Championship (2023).
Caitlin Clark WNBA Draft projection
WNBA Draft Projection: No. 1 overall pick
Clark is all but certain to be the first name called in the 2024 WNBA Draft.
The Indiana Fever own the No. 1 overall pick and already have a franchise cornerstone in 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year Aliyah Boston.
Pairing a prolific playmaking guard like Clark with an interior force like Boston, who averaged an impressive 14.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and over a steal and block per game as a rookie, would set the Fever up for title contention sooner rather than later.
