Caitlin Clark explains WNBA decision: ‘Getting the weight of the world off my shoulders'

INDIANAPOLIS — Iowa women’s basketball superstar Caitlin Clark felt “the weight of the world” come off her shoulders Thursday afternoon as she clicked send on her social media post.

The post that thanked Hawkeyes fans for their unwavering support over the past four years at Iowa, showered love on her teammates and family, and, most importantly, provided clarity on her intentions to declare for the 2024 WNBA draft.

She made her decision public three days before Iowa’s senior day against Ohio State on Sunday afternoon — something that will be an all-around affair, with a sold-out crowd and ESPN's "College Gameday" in town.

"I think I've known for a little while, honestly," Clark told media Friday afternoon. "I've had quite a few conversations with our coaching staff, and they were always very supportive in trying to help me understand both sides and see both sides, so I think especially over the last couple weeks, my decision has become more clear."

While Clark is in her fourth year with the Hawkeyes, she technically had one more year of eligibility; the NCAA gave all 2020-21 student-athletes an extra year because of COVID-19.

Throughout the season, Clark had conversations with Iowa’s coaching staff and her family surrounding the options of staying at Iowa or moving on to the professional world, and which would work best for her.

“We talked about the pros and the cons, and obviously everyone wants her to come back that’s an Iowa fan,” Iowa associate head coach Jan Jensen said in an interview with Iowa News Now’s Owen Siebring. “That pressure she’s been carrying is great, and the new frontiers… Caitlin has been blessed with a great family team, and a great circle of trust around her.”

Clark will walk, along with four of her teammates, in the senior festivities postgame Sunday — and she knows, without a doubt, it will be her last time playing a regular-season game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

"I think just going into senior night, having that decision clear not only for myself, but for the fans, my teammates, I think that was super important," Clark said. "And just getting the weight of the world off my shoulders, and being able to enjoy this last month with my teammates, I think is the biggest thing."

The Hawkeyes senior has been widely regarded as the No. 1 draft pick in the 2024 WNBA draft since she became the 2023 consensus National Player of the Year and led Iowa to a national championship game appearance. Ever since the Fever won the No. 1 pick back in December, mock drafts have consistently projected her to go to Indiana.

Clark said the Fever coaching staff or front office have not been in contact with her since she made her decision official Thursday night. The Fever’s social team did make multiple posts on X directly following Clark’s announcement, though, including a “hop on board” post advertising season tickets, and a post that read “we're just simply reminding you that there are only 46 days until the 2024 WNBA Draft,” above a graphic showing Indiana’s No. 1 pick.

Clark has accomplished about everything an individual player can in her record-breaking career as a Hawkeye. As the reigning national player of the year, she broke Kelsey Plum’s NCAA women's basketball scoring record in February, and she is poised to pass Pete Maravich’s record of 3,667 points — something that has stood untouched since 1970 — this week to become the all-time leading scorer in major college basketball.

She has stymied defenses all season, consistently making 3-point shots from distances that were previously unheard of. Her shot to break the record came 5 feet clear of the 3-point line.

"I knew in my heart here that what we've been able to do is so special, and that it's not over yet, but I think I'm ready for the next chapter in my life, too,” Clark said.

Averaging 32.3 points, 8.4 assists, and 7.5 rebounds per game this season, it was time for the next challenge.

“Caitlin is wired for challenges, she’s wired for everything that’s on that next horizon,” Jensen said in an interview with Iowa’s News Now. “As a coach, our jobs are to help them become the best they can be, and help them make great life decisions.”

But first, Clark is making the most of her final season with the Hawkeyes, hoping to lead them back to the national championship game. The Hawkeyes had the No. 7 overall seed in the NCAA Top-16 reveal, which was released Thursday night, making them a No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament.

And with this decision behind her, she can play loose and free for the rest of Iowa’s season — just like she did in her triple-double showing against Minnesota the night before she officially announced her intentions.

"Any time you make a big decision and you're confident in it, that's what happens," Clark said. "I think going into the rest of the year, just smile, have fun, and play free. After this game this weekend, we're really only guaranteed two games."

Depending on how deep Iowa goes in the NCAA tournament, Clark may only have a couple weeks to prepare for WNBA training camp. The Final Four and national championship are the first weekend in April, the WNBA draft is on April 15, and training camp starts on April 28.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Caitlin Clark explains why she's leaving Iowa for WNBA draft 2024