Caitlin Clark shared an emotional farewell post to Iowa on her Instagram story, shortly after the Hawkeyes lost the national championship game to South Carolina.
The likely No 1 overall pick in next week’s WNBA Draft also admitted ’emotions will hit me’ after her final college game ended in defeat and a finish as national runners-up for the second season in a row.
Clark’s Instagram story was a shot of the back of her yellow and black No 22 jersey, which will surely be worn by no other Hawkeye and retired in Iowa City.
Clark scored 30 points in her final college game, with 18 coming in the first quarter against the Gamecocks.
She also addressed the media after her final appearance under the NCAA banner.
Clark will go down as one of the best college basketball players of all-time at any level
“I’m sad we lost this game. But I’m also so proud of myself. I’m so proud of my teammates. I’m so proud of this program.”
What a run for Caitlin Clark and @IowaWBB 👏
(via @BigTenNetwork)
pic.twitter.com/943Ij1Vq0u
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) April 7, 2024
Words cannot express my love for my teammates, coaches, fans and our university – Thanks for making my dreams come true. Wearing Iowa across my chest the last four years has been an honor. This place will always be home🖤
— Caitlin Clark (@CaitlinClark22) April 8, 2024
‘I think for me the emotions will probably hit me over the next couple of days and I don’t have much time to sit around and sulk and be upset,’ Clark said after the loss to South Carolina.
‘I don’t think that’s what I’m about either,’ Clark added. ‘Yeah, I’m sad we lost this game, but I’m also so proud of myself, I’m so proud of my teammates, I’m so proud of this program. There’s a lot to be proud of.’
‘But there’s going to be tears. It is sad this is all over and it is sad this is the last time I’m going to put on an Iowa jersey,’ Clark continued. ‘… Basically anybody other than me and coach (Lisa) Bluder never thought this was possible.’
Clark also put out a statement on X later Sunday night.
‘Words cannot express my love for my teammates, coaches, fans and our university – Thanks for making my dreams come true. Wearing Iowa across my chest the last four years has been an honor. This place will always be home,’ Clark said.
Before Clark’s arrival, Iowa women’s basketball had been to one Final Four and never appeared in a championship game.
Now, the Hawkeyes have been in the title matchup twice and are considered a national powerhouse.
As Clark likely joins the Indiana Fever, Bluder will have to make sure Iowa’s standing does not slip.
Clark merited praise from rival South Carolina coach Dawn Staley for her imoact on women’s college basketball following the final.
Clark put up an incredible 18 points in the first 10 minutes before Iowa ultimately lost
Staley, who has been in charge of South Carolina’s women basketball program since 2008, struggled to find the right words to describe what she was feeling and needed a minute to compose herself after winning her second NCAA championship with the Gamecocks in three years and third overall.
In a postgame interview with ESPN, she teared up on camera while players uplifted her despite clearly feeling overwhelmed with emotions.
‘I’m so proud, so proud,’ Staley, who wore a multi-thousand-dollar Louis Vuitton jacket at Sunday’s game said into the microphone at first. ‘I am so incredibly happy for our players. It doesn’t always end like you want it to end, much like last year… I’m just super proud of where I work, I’m super proud of our fans. It’s awesome and unbelievable.’
‘[…] I personally want to thank Caitlin Clark for lifting up our sport,’ she added in tribute to the NCAA’s leading scorer in both men and women’s college hoops. ‘She carried a heavy load for our sport. … Caitlin Clark if you’re out there you’re one of the GOATs of our game. We appreciate you.’
