Caitlin Clark has dominated college basketball — both on and off the court.
The Iowa superstar has set records with her scoring ability, and she has drawn record audiences in person and on screen. But with Thursday's announcement, her collegiate career is officially coming to an end after this season.
Clark is taking her talents to the WNBA.
While the Hawkeyes' senior guard could have returned for a fifth year of eligibility due to her COVID-impacted freshman season in 2020-21, she decided to forego that option to make the leap to the professional ranks.
She announced her decision to enter this year's WNBA Draft with a social media post Thursday afternoon. She immediately becomes the top overall prospect in the three-round draft, which features 36 total selections.
— 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," Clark wrote. "I am excited to be entering the 2024 WNBA Draft."
Did Caitlin Clark break all-time NCAA scoring record?
Clark's scoring prowess is well-documented. She entered the 2023-24 season 810 points shy of breaking Kelsey Plum's all-time women's college basketball scoring record and 950 points shy of breaking Pete Maravich's overall mark.
The Iowa senior broke Plum's record and now is on the cusp of breaking Maravich's with one regular-season game remaining in her college basketball career.
Clark surpassed Plum with a career-high 49-point eruption in a home game against Michigan on Feb. 15.
She is 18 points shy of breaking Maravich's record, which has been held since 1970, and she looks set to break that in Iowa's regular-season finale against Ohio State on Sunday.
| Rank | Player | Points | Career |
| 1. | Pete Maravich | 3,667 | 1967-70 |
| 2. | Antoine Davis | 3,664 | 2018-23 |
| 3. | Caitlin Clark | 3,650 | 2020-present |
| 4. | Kelsey Plum | 3,527 | 2013-17 |
| 5. | Kelsey Mitchell | 3,402 | 2014-18 |
| 6. | Jackie Stiles | 3,393 | 1997-01 |
| 7. | Brittney Griner | 3,283 | 2009-13 |
| 8. | Freeman Williams | 3,249 | 1974-78 |
| 9. | Chris Clemons | 3,225 | 2015-19 |
| 10. | Lionel Simmons | 3,217 | 1986-90 |
Clark has a career scoring average of 28.3 points per game. She is averaging 32.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 8.7 assists in her senior season.
| Season | Points per game | Total points |
| 2020-21 | 26.6 | 799 |
| 2021-22 | 27.0 | 863 |
| 2022-23 | 27.8 | 1,055 |
| 2023-24 | 32.2 | 933 |
| Career | 28.3 | 3,650 |
Which WNBA team will draft Caitlin Clark?
The 2024 WNBA Draft is set for Monday, April 15, one week after the conclusion of the NCAA Tournament.
Clark enters the draft as arguably the most exciting player in college basketball for the better portion of the last two seasons. Her ability to carve up defenses with a deep 3-point range as well as her slick passing kept fans locked in on Iowa.
As she embarks on her WNBA career, Clark may not have to move too far from home, as the Fever hold the No. 1 overall pick. The Iowa native has been the projected top pick all season, and ESPN's latest mock draft projects Clark to be off the board first to Indiana.
Here's how first round of the WNBA Draft shapes up:
- Indiana Fever
- Los Angeles Sparks
- Chicago Sky
- Los Angeles Sparks
- Dallas Wings
- Washington Mystics
- Minnesota Lynx
- Chicago Sky
- Dallas Wings
- Connecticut Sun
- New York Liberty
- Atlanta Dream
How much money will Caitlin Clark make as a WNBA rookie?
Clark has taken full advantage of the NCAA name, image and likeness rules implemented in 2021, becoming one of the top earning collegiate athletes across the NCAA.
Her NIL valuation is estimated at $910,000, according to On3. She holds the 30th-highest valuation among men's and women's athletes and the third highest in women's basketball in 2024, per On3. LSU's Angel Reese and Flau'jae Johnson rank ahead of her.
With her status growing as she enters the professional scene, Clark's valuation could increase in the coming years as more brands look to cash in on her popularity.
Additionally, Clark will be receiving a WNBA salary. Rookies contracts for the 2024 season range between $64,154 and $76,535 depending on draft pick, according to Spotrac — so expect Clark to land at the top of that scale.
As the presumptive No. 1 overall pick, Clark would earn a $76,535 salary in her first WNBA season. Clark's four-year rookie deal would be worth $338,056, per Spotrac.
