Caitlin Clark's No. 22 jersey will be permanently retired from the Iowa Hawkeyes, the school announced Wednesday.
Iowa State Athletic Director Beth Goetz announced the news during an end-of-season celebration attended by fans and the Hawkeyes women's basketball team at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
“We always knew your jersey was going to be hung in the rafters,” Goetz said. “It's an honor to now make it official. You will be the last person to wear number 22.”
Clark will join Megan Gustafson and Michelle Edwards as the only retired numbers in program history.
“It's just incredible. I'm so grateful,” Clark said. “There were a lot of good 22-year-olds who came before me and played in this program, whether it was Kathleen Doyle or Sam Rozick. This number is very important, way beyond me. It really is. I’m grateful and it will be a special day when it happens.”
It's been a prestigious week for Clark, who is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in next week's WNBA Draft. She was named the Wooden Award National Player of the Year for two consecutive seasons and was once again named the AP Player of the Year and the Naismith College Player of the Year.
Clark, 22, led the Hawkeyes to the national title game for the second straight season. She entered the GOAT conversation, finishing her college career as the NCAA Division I all-time scorer and holder of numerous program records.
Although Iowa State fell short of winning, Clark and the Hawkeyes played a big role in drawing attention throughout the women's tournament. According to ESPN PR, 18.7 million viewers watched her 2024 title game between Iowa and South Carolina.
The Indiana Fever is expected to select Clark with the top pick in the WNBA Draft. Clark garnered so much attention against Iowa that it was announced Wednesday that 36 of next season's 40 Fever games will be broadcast nationally, with networks saying the “Caitlin Clark effect” will continue even after she turns pro. I hope so.
