Caitlin Clark wants NCAA title before joining WNBA, a haunting move for her coach

Clark became the top scorer in NCAA history, beating Kelsey Plum’s mark.
Caitlin Clark said on Thursday that she will declare for the 2024 WNBA Draft, but she still wants to win the NCAA tournament with the Iowa Hawkeyes, who lost to Angel Reese and the LSU Tigers last year.

Clark, 22, has had a great four-season career with Iowa and may play another owing to the COVID year. Her head coach, Lisa Bluder, acknowledged she wanted the top scorer to stay with the Hawkeyes.

“I mean, you’re obviously disappointed because you want her to come back,” Bluder went on to say. “I mean, she’s a terrific player, and we would have loved to have her return.

“But also, our role is to help them for four years, to support them as much as we can, and to prepare them for the next chapter in their lives. Her four years are up, yet she can return for another year. “She’s up for a new challenge.”

Clark became the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer this season, breaking Kelsey Plum’s record, and she hopes to finish her historic year with the natty.

In honor of womens history month here is caitlin clark absolutely dismantling south carolina in the NCAA final fourpic.twitter.com/Zve2EWv3mT

— ً (@hoopconsumer) March 1, 2024

 

Caitlin Clark outlines her choice to join the WNBA.
Clark said she has not spoken with anyone from the Indiana Fever, who hold the first pick in the forthcoming draft, since her declaration.

“I believe that coming into Senior Night, that decision should be apparent not only for me, but also for our fans and teammates. “I think that was extremely important,” Clark remarked on Friday. “And, honestly, lifting the weight of the world off my shoulders and being able to enjoy this last month with my teammates is the most important thing.

“I would say, like, I’ve gone honestly back and forth a little bit, especially early in the year. I think as the season played out, it became more clear to me. I know I said at the beginning of the year I definitely just kind of feel in my gut and know in my gut. And I think that’s exactly what happened.

“I think any time you make a big decision and you’re confident in it, that’s just kind of what happens. And I think that’s my biggest focus going into the rest of the year. It’s just smile, have fun, play free. After this game this weekend, we’re really only guaranteed two games. So I think it’s just enjoying every single second and playing and having fun.”