After making history with Iowa and setting a new NCAA Division I points record, the Hawkeyes have decided to retire Caitlin Clark’s No. 22 jersey with a ceremony planned.
Iowa has announced it will retire the No. 22 jersey to honor Caitlin Clark for her historic achievements and to celebrate her Hawkeyes legacy.
The jersey number will officially be retired on Feb. 2 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, when Iowa hosts USC. Clark will be in attendance for the game as she witnesses the ceremony, and feels honored that she will be remembered alongside other Hawkeyes legends.
“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 in a statement. “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 join Megan Gustafson and Michelle Edwards as the only three women’s basketball players to have their numbers retired for Iowa.
Clark has inspired a generation of women’s athletes following her four-year tenure with the Hawkeyes, which led to her being the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. Clark made NCAA history after ending her college career as the all-time leading scorer (3,951 points) in women’s and men’s Division I history.
LSU legend Pete Maravich’s record was finally broken, and Clark averaged 28.4 points throughout her collegiate career. While Clark couldn’t lead Iowa to its first title, she did help them reach back-to-back national championships and three Big Ten tournament wins.
Clark’s impact has transitioned over into the WNBA, where she won Rookie of the Year after leading the Indiana Fever to the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Clark has been dominant throughout her career, which attracted the interest of scouts before starting high school.
NCAA Division I basketball programs were aware of Clark from very early on, and during her sophomore season at Dowling Catholic she was ranked the number one player in the 2020 high school class by ESPN. At the end of her high school career, Clark was considered a five-star recruit but dropped to fourth-best in her class by ESPN.
“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, Iowa athletic director. “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.”
