Caitlin Clark shocked many when she decided to forgo her final year of NCAA eligibility and enter the 2024 WNBA Draft. The decision, revealed during a recent conversation on Bird’s Eye View with Sue Bird, highlighted the careful and private process Clark undertook before announcing her plans. While Iowa Hawkeyes coach Lisa Bluder had hoped to retain Clark for another season, Clark ultimately chose to begin her professional career after an extensive period of reflection.
Clark explained that she deliberately kept her decision confidential and told many people she was still considering her options, including Coach Bluder. Despite numerous discussions and the tension between Clark’s ambition and Bluder’s desire to keep her, the relationship remained supportive once the final choice was made.
I kept telling people I was going to continue to think about it. Even Coach Bluder … we could constantly go back and forth and obviously that was hard because Coach Bluder, she wanted me to come back and that was her job to get her best player back on her roster … but at the same time, when I had made my final decision, she was very happy for me,
Clark said.
A Glance Back at Clark’s Collegiate Achievements at Iowa
Caitlin Clark’s tenure at Iowa was marked by historic accomplishments that elevated both her and the program into national prominence. She left as the all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division I history, surpassing both women’s and men’s records with 3,951 points. Her offensive prowess helped guide the Hawkeyes to two consecutive NCAA championship game appearances in 2023 and 2024, although both ended in losses to LSU and South Carolina respectively.
Clark also received all major national player of the year awards in two straight seasons, including the Naismith, Wooden, Wade, and Associated Press honors. Under her leadership, Iowa claimed three consecutive Big Ten Tournament titles, becoming a dominant force in the conference and beyond.
Known for her versatility and playmaking, Clark led the nation in both scoring and assists over multiple seasons. She also became just the second player in women’s Division I history to record double-digit career triple-doubles, accumulating eleven during her college career. This combination of scoring and facilitating made her a uniquely dangerous offensive threat throughout her time with the Hawkeyes.
On February 2, Iowa honored Clark’s impact by retiring her No. 22 jersey, solidifying her legacy in program history.
The Unique Partnership Between Clark and Coach Bluder
Clark’s development owed much to the nurturing yet demanding environment created by Lisa Bluder, who served as Iowa’s head coach from 2000 until her retirement following the 2023-24 season. Bluder’s system emphasized pace, spacing, and high scoring, perfectly aligning with Clark’s style and allowing her to flourish.
Jan Jensen, Bluder’s successor and a key figure in Clark’s growth as an assistant coach, discussed the rapport Clark shared with the Iowa staff. Jensen noted that Clark’s success was partly due to the mutual trust and understanding with Coach Bluder, who allowed her to express her game fully.
Caitlin Clark is Caitlin Clark because I think she felt the connection with Lisa and our staff and me, all of it,
Jensen said.
But she needed the right head coach to let her be who she was and she studied it. … But I’m not certain Caitlin would be Caitlin without Lisa Bluder.
Over more than two decades, Bluder amassed 528 coaching wins—the most in Iowa program history—and garnered multiple coaching accolades, including three Big Ten Coach of the Year awards and the 2019 Naismith College Coach of the Year honor. Her leadership not only cultivated Clark’s talents but also brought unparalleled success to the Hawkeyes.
What Clark’s Decision Means for Women’s Basketball and Iowa’s Future
Caitlin Clark’s early entry into the WNBA signals the start of a new chapter for both her and the Iowa program. Her choice to turn professional after delivering two years of elite-level competition underlines her readiness to compete at the highest level and expands her growing influence on the sport’s popularity.
While Clark’s departure marks the end of a significant era for Iowa, Bluder’s recent retirement further signals a period of transition for the Hawkeyes. With a new coaching staff in place, Iowa must find ways to sustain their elevated status in women’s basketball without their former star. Meanwhile, Clark’s entry into the WNBA is highly anticipated as she brings her dynamic scoring ability and leadership to the professional ranks, continuing to attract audiences to the women’s game.