Caitlin Clark is a rising star in women’s college basketball, known for her impressive scoring ability and dynamic playmaking skills. She was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year in her first season, leading the nation in scoring with an average of 28.1 points per game in her sophomore season, and helped lead the University of Iowa to the NCAA Tournament. Get all of the latest Caitlin Clark news here!
Born on June 22, 2002, in West Des Moines, Iowa, Caitlin Clark began playing basketball at a young age and quickly developed into one of the top high school players in the country. After a standout career at Dowling Catholic High School, where she was named the Iowa Gatorade Player of the Year three times, Clark committed to the University of Iowa to play for the Hawkeyes. In her freshman season in 2020-21, she immediately made an impact, averaging 26.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game and earning Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors.
Clark’s impressive play continued into her sophomore season, where she cemented her place as one of the best players in the country. She led the nation in scoring with an average of 28.1 points per game and also contributed 5.9 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game. Clark’s talent and leadership helped guide the Hawkeyes to the NCAA Tournament, where they advanced to the second round.
Before the start of her junior season, Clark was a unanimous choice for the preseason All-America team and was named Big Ten preseason player of the year. During the season, she recorded several career highs, broke records and earned many awards and recognitions. She led her team to a second consecutive Big Ten tournament championship and a historic first-ever appearance in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship game. Although her team lost the championship game, Clark set records and was named the national player of the year by all major awards.
Clark is known for her fearless approach to the game and her ability to create scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates. She is a skilled ball-handler and shooter, with a deep range from beyond the arc. Clark’s combination of size, speed, and agility make her a difficult matchup for any defender.
As far as her National team career, Clark also won gold medals with the United States at the 2017 FIBA Under-16 Women’s Americas Championship and the 2019 FIBA Under-19 Women’s Basketball World Cup, averaging 8.8 and 5.3 points per game, respectively. She led the US to another gold medal at the 2021 FIBA Under-19 Women’s Basketball World Cup, where she was named Most Valuable Player and averaged 14.3 points, 5.6 assists, and 5.3 rebounds per game.
Off the court, Clark is known for her dedication to her teammates and her commitment to giving back to her community. She is a strong student and a role model for young athletes, inspiring them to work hard and chase their dreams. With two more years of eligibility at Iowa, Clark is poised to continue her rise to stardom and cement her place as one of the greatest players in women’s college basketball history.