- She will be entering the 2024 WNBA draft
- Clark plays as a point guard for the Iowa Hawkeyes
- She changed the name on her jersey to “Keough” in honour of Dan Keough, a family friend who fought colon cancer
Caitlin Clark is a basketball player who plays for the lowa Hawkeyes and she has announced that she will be entering the 2024 WNBA draft. She decided to forgo a fifth year at the college level, which has led to speculation about a potential pay cut compared to what she currently earns as a nil deal.
The player was awarded an additional year after the COVID-19 pandemic affected her freshman season and has built a roster of impressive endorsements. Clark would potentially earn less than $80,000 in a WNBA rookie contract as the top pick.
Regardless of that little amount, she is expected to get more sales from her jerseys which will bring more income for the professional team she will join after the draft. Her major sponsors promised to stand by her after she turns pro and it is likely that her deals will continue earning her more as she advances to the next level.
She has been playing for Hawkeye and has set numerous records during her time in Lowa, including being the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer in women’s and men’s basketball. During a recent game, Catlin had a change of name on her jersey “Keough” instead of her usual “Clark.”
She did this in honor of her family friend who battled colon cancer in 2012 and her decision to wear that jersey on that name signifies a close bond and a personal connection.
Caitlin Clark’s personal life
Clark was born on January 22, 2002, in Des Moines, Iowa to Brent Clark and Anne Nizzi. Brent, her father, is a sales executive at Concentric International and also has a background in athletics, having played basketball and baseball at Simpson College.
Caitlin Clark. Photo/CNN
Her mother is of Italian descent and worked as a marketing executive. Her grandfather Bob Nizzi was a former football coach at Dowling Catholic High School. She has an elder brother by the name Blake, who is a former college footballer for lowa State University and her young brother Colin also plays basketball.
Clark’s career journey
Clark’s father is a former athlete who has nurtured her passion for the sport and due to the absence of girls’ leagues in her age group, she started competing with boys at the tender age of five.
At that tender age, she also participated in softball, volleyball, tennis, soccer and golf and at around thirteen years, she fully focused on basketball. She attended Dowling Catholic High School where her dominance was evident as she secured two-time Gatorade lowa Player of the Year awards and also won a gold medal for the U.S. team at the FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Caitlin Clark. Photo/ESPN
Clark committed to play for the University of lowa and her freshman year was phenomenal, leading the NCAA Division I in scoring, she received All-American honours and currently holds the prestigious title of the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer. Here we look at some of her most notable achievements:
- She is a McDonald’s All-American, FIBA Basketball World Cup Gold medal
- In her freshman season, she won the title of NCAA’s all-time scorer
- She led lowa to the Elite Eight, First Team All-Big Ten
- She led lowa to the Big Ten Championship, MOP award, First Team All-Big Ten
- She led Iowa to the National Championship Game, First Team All-Big Ten, and Academic All-American of the Year.
- She is currently the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer
Clark’s declaration for the 2024 WNBA draft
Her decision to enter the WNBA draft was a significant moment in her career and there are some reasons for her early declaration. She was projected as the first pick for the 2024 WNBA draft, making it an opportune time to transition to professional basketball.
Her popularity and scoring prowess are expected to generate significant interest in the upcoming WNBA season.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login