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UI Athletics Announces Caitlin Clark’s No. 22 Retirement Celebration

Sports

December 18th, 2024 by Christian Adams

IOWA CITY, Iowa — In a celebration of legacy, achievement and undeniable impact, the University of Iowa Athletics Department has announced plans to retire the iconic No. 22 of Hawkeye women’s basketball legend, Caitlin Clark, during a ceremony scheduled for Feb. 2, 2025, inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
“I’m forever proud to be a Hawkeye and Iowa holds a special place in my heart that is bigger than just basketball,” Clark said. “It means the world to me to receive this honor and to celebrate it with my family, friends and alumni. It will be a great feeling to look up in the rafters and see my jersey alongside those that I’ve admired for so long.”
Clark will be in attendance for the game against USC on Feb. 2, 2025. Tipoff is set for 12:30 p.m. (CT) and the contest will air on FOX and the Hawkeye Radio Network.

“Caitlin Clark has not only redefined excellence on the court but has also inspired countless young athletes to pursue their dreams with passion and determination,” said Beth Goetz, Henry B. and Patricia B. Tippie Director of Athletics Chair. “Her remarkable achievements have left an indelible mark on the University of Iowa and the world of women’s basketball. Retiring her number is a testament to her extraordinary contributions and a celebration of her legacy that will continue to inspire future generations. Hawkeye fans are eager to say thank you for so many incredible moments.”

Undisputed Legacy
In a 17-day span from Feb. 15 to March 3, Clark broke Kelsey Plum’s record to become the all-time women’s NCAA Division I scoring leader, passed AIAW legend Lynette Woodard for the major college scoring record, and passed LSU’s Pete Maravich for most career points in Division I history for men and women.
Clark is a two-time recipient of the prestigious Wooden, Naismith, Wade, Ann Meyers Drysdale, Honda Cup and AAU Sullivan awards. She was named 2024 Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year by THE Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) and 2024 Athlete of the Year by TIME Magazine. The two-time consensus National Player of the Year and Academic All-America Team Member of the Year led the Hawkeyes to two national runners-up finishes in 2023 and 2024 and three Big Ten Tournament titles (2022, 2023, 2024). She is also a three-time winner of the Nancy Lieberman Point Guard Award and is the first-ever three-time winner of the Dawn Staley Award.
Clark, who now plays for the WNBA’s Indiana Fever, is the only player in NCAA Division I men’s or women’s basketball history to lead her conference in scoring and assists in four consecutive seasons. Clark led the nation in 10 different offensive categories, including averaging 31.6 points and 8.9 assists per game and also broke the NCAA women’s tournament scoring record during the Hawkeyes’ final NCAA Tournament run.
Off the court, she is a three-time first-team Academic All-American and was named the 2024 CSC Academic All-America of the Year.
Compiled List of Accomplishments
2-time AAU Sullivan Award Winner (First Ever)
2-time Consensus National Player of the Year
2-time Naismith Award (2023, 2024)
2-time Wooden Award (2023, 2024)
2-time Wade Trophy (2023, 2024)
2-time Academic All-America Team Member of the Year (2023, 2024)
2-time Honda Award (2023, 2024)
2-time Final Four Participant
2-time Ann Meyers Drysdale Award (2023, 2024)
2-time Big Ten Athlete of the Year (2023, 2024)
3-time Nancy Lieberman Award (2022, 2023, 2024)
3-time Dawn Staley Award (2021, 2022, 2023)
3-time Big Ten Player of the Year (2022, 2023, 2024)
3-time Big Ten Tournament MVP (2022, 2023, 2024)
3-time Academic All-B1G (2022, 2023, 2024)
4-time AP All-American
4-time WBCA All-American
4-time unanimous first-team All-Big Ten
4-time All-Big Ten Tournament Team
5-time Dean’s List
1-time Big Ten Freshman of the Year