Caitlin Clark: A Basketball Star That Will Continue to Rise or Burn Away
Caitlin Clark is undoubtedly the biggest star in women’s basketball. In college, she became a cultural star and her stardom is only rising as a pro.
Small-Town Iowa Girl
Growing up in an athletic family, Clark was destined to play sports. Her father, Brent Clark, played basketball and baseball at Simpson College.
Her grandfather, Bob Nizzi, coached football at Dowling Catholic High School. Caitlin’s older brother, Blake Clark also won the Iowa state football championship and later played for Iowa State.
From a young age, Caitlin showed that she had endless potential in basketball. By age five, her grandfather noticed her ball dribbling ability and aptitude for anticipating plays.
Just like the rest of her family, Clark excelled at sports during her childhood.
Shimmers of Greatness in High School
Clark would also play basketball at Dowling Catholic High School, where she became a local star. She received McDonald’s All-American honors throughout high school while putting up a school record of 2,547 points.
She also scored the second most points in Iowa state history with a 60-point performance. These performances would only be a shimmer of what Caitlin was capable of.
Become a Diaper Dandy in College
Caitlin’s stellar high school led her to earn a scholarship at Iowa University. Her decision to stay at home to play proved to be transformative for the Iowa women’s basketball program.
As a diaper Dandy, Clark burst onto the national scene. During her rookie year in college, Caitlin averaged 26.6 PPG, 5.9 rebounds, and 7.1 assists.
This 26.6 PPG made Caitlin the top scorer in the nation. Her ability to score from anywhere, 3-point prowess, vision, and passing made her an instant sensation.
An Elevated Sophomore Year
Clark’s sophomore year further elevated her status as one of the nation’s top players. She improved upon all of her stats which include 27 PPG and 8 APG.
This was the first time in women’s college basketball history that a player led the nation in both scoring and assists. Caitlin’s dual+threat capability led to her five triple-doubles performances and 11 30-point games.
Clark’s Star-Making Junior Year
Somehow, Caitlin Clark was even more spectacular in her junior year. She once again improved on all of her stats and led Iowa to the national championship.
Unfortunately, Clark would come up short against LSU, who was led by her rival Angel Reese. Their rivalry drew a lot of attention. 9.9 million watched them battle in the national championship.
Setting Records as a Senior
By the time Caitlin Clark’s senior year rolled around, she had become the nation’s biggest basketball star. Millions tuned into every game she played as she chased greatness.
Across the 39 games she played in, Clark averaged 31.6 PPG, 7.4 rebounds, and 8.9 assists. On February 15th, 2024, Clark broke Kelsey Plum’s women’s scoring record after finishing with 49 points against Michigan.
She later broke Pete Marovich’s all-time scoring record with a free throw against Ohio State. Caitlin did come up short against South Carolina in the national title game, but her legacy was already cemented.
Caitlin Becomes a Phenomenon
Off the court, Clark’s impact was seismic and dubbed the “Caitlin Clark effect.” It seemed like everything this young basketball star touched turned to gold.
Her popularity boosted women’s basketball to unprecedented levels that had never been seen before. From her NIL deals, Caitlin earned a whopping $3 million her senior season.
She got endorsement deals from everyone from Nike, Gatorade, State Farm, and various businesses within Iowa. Every arena that Caitlin played in sold out and she reached a million-plus Instagram followers and millions more watching her games.
Clark broke the glass ceiling as a cultural superstar all before turning pro.
Clark’s WNBA Rookie Year
As everyone expected, Caitlin Clark was selected as the first overall pick in the WNBA draft by the Indiana Fever. She made her professional debut on May 14th, 2024 where she put up 20 points against Connecticut.
Her WNBA Rookie Year was a rollercoaster of excellence and growing pains. She also took some physical pain as she took numerous hard fouls in her welcome to the pros.
Despite the growing pains, Clark continued to elevate her game and prove that she was a top pro. On Caitlin’s way to winning Rookie of the Year honors and won with 98.5% of the vote.
She also broke the single-season rookie scoring record and notched two triple-doubles. However, she did average 5.6 turnovers a game which was expected in the transition to the speed of professional basketball.
The 2025 season is around the corner and fans can expect Clark to continue improving her game in all facets. As the WNBA season quickly approaches even punters are getting excited and admit the rising popularity of the WNBA by looking for the best bookmakers and taking advantage of offers like the signup bonus for DraftKings.
A Star Still on the Rise
At 23, Caitlin Clark’s story is just beginning. As a college player, Clark shattered records and made an undeniable cultural impact.
In college, Clark became one of the greatest women’s players of all time. As of now, she still holds all of the following college records.
- All-Time Leading Scorer: 3,951 Points
- NCAA D-I 3-pointers: 548
- NCAA D-1 Single-season 3-pointers: 201
- NCAAW D-1 Single Season Points
- NCAA D-1 Most Career Tournament Points: 491
- NCAA D-1 Tournament Assists Leader: 152
- NCAA D-1 Tournament 3-pointers: 78
- NCAA D-1 Points Leader in a Single Tournament: 191 Points
- NCAA D-1 3-pointers in a Single Tournament: 32
- Iowa’s Leader in Scoring, Assists, and Single Game Scoring Record
Incredibly, after an impeccable college career, Clark’s Star is still on the rise. She’s not just a player; she’s a movement poised to elevate women’s basketball to new heights.
Caitlin is the star that the league has desperately needed and will continue breaking barriers. When all is said and done, she might be considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
