By Susan Harman

IOW CITY, Iowa – Breaking Hawkeye hearts across the country, All American Caitlin Clark announced today on X that she will forgo her fifth year of eligibility and make herself available for the WNBA Draft.

Clark’s announcement said: “While this season is far from over and we have a lot more goals to achieve, it will be my last one at Iowa. I am excited to be entering the WNBA Draft.

“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.

“Most importantly, none of this would have been possible without my family and friends who have been by my side through it all. Because of all of you, my dreams came true.”

Clark had the option of a fifth season because her career began during COVID restrictions and the NCAA granted a fifth season to those athletes affected by the unusual circumstances. Her first season at Iowa was played in empty arenas with cardboard cutouts. Her Golden Retriever cutout accompanied her to the NCAA tournament that year, which was played by all 64 teams in Texas.

Clark’s announcement is hardly a surprise given what she has accomplished this season. She is the career-leading scorer in women’s Division I basketball. Her records will fill not only the Iowa media guide but those of the Big Ten and NCAA. She won every major post-season award she was eligible for, including the Honda Award as the most outstanding women’s collegiate athlete in all sports.

During her career, Iowa won 100 and lost just 29 (.775). It has gone to the national championship game and won two Big Ten tournament titles and one Big Ten regular-season title.

“Obviously she’s the most dominant player, the best player, to have played in the women’s game,” Minnesota coach Dawn Plitzuweit said Wednesday after Iowa overwhelmed the Gophers. “Bar none. To do what she does, game after game, is almost mind-boggling.”

She is almost certain to be the top pick in the WNBA draft by the Indiana Fever. She has had great success in the NIL field, and most observers think endorsements by such firms as State Farm, HyVee and Nike will follow her. Clark, by any measure, is ready for another challenge and this will fit the bill.