Caitlin Clark, former Iowa guard, had her number 22 retired in a ceremony at Iowa’s Carver-Hawkeye Arena following the Hawkeyes’ 76-67 victory over No. 4 USC. Clark, who recently completed her historic college career, expressed her emotions, likening the experience to the familiar pre-game butterflies she used to feel. She was joined by her family at center court as her jersey was raised to the rafters, marking the culmination of a remarkable career at Iowa.
Clark made history as college basketball’s all-time leading scorer and led the Hawkeyes to consecutive appearances in the NCAA national championship game in the last two seasons. The jersey retirement ceremony was attended by a sellout crowd of 14,998, including former and current coaches, teammates, and notable figures like David Letterman.
During the ceremony, Iowa coach Jan Jensen praised Clark's impact on the program, highlighting her generational talent and the positive image she brought to women’s basketball nationally. Former coach Lisa Bluder commended Clark for empowering young women and acknowledged her significant contributions both on and off the court.
Reflecting on her time with the Hawkeyes, Clark emphasized the importance of teamwork and selflessness in achieving success. She credited the team's strong culture for their accomplishments, emphasizing the value of accountability and camaraderie among teammates.
Despite being under constant media scrutiny, Clark remains unfazed by criticism, expressing confidence in herself, her teammates, and her coaching staff. She emphasized the importance of belief and resilience in the face of external pressures and opinions.
Clark's jersey retirement coincided with South Carolina retiring A'ja Wilson's jersey, both players having worn the number 22 during their college careers. The ceremony marked a fitting tribute to Clark's exceptional contributions to Iowa women’s basketball.
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