Is Caitlin Clark a senior? Iowa Hawkeyes star's college status explored
Caitlin Clark is one of the biggest, budding stars in basketball. She was a part of tournament games that set viewership records for women’s basketball.
Caitlin Clark has won the 2023 women's Wooden Award as the national player of the year after her record-breaking season 👏
@IowaWBB | #ThatsaW https://t.co/c3ZyxxBYid
The Iowa guard, who shoots as confidently as Steph Curry, led her Hawkeyes to the national championship where they fell to LSU (102-85). Clark will have a chance at redemption as she is a junior and can return next season.
Every player received a fifth year of eligibility because the 2020 season was canceled by the COVID-19 pandemic, so Clark could potentially play at Iowa for two more years.
Clark is not eligible for the 2023 WNBA Draft because the league requires draft entries to be at least 22 years old. She can enter in 2024 after completing her fourth year at Iowa. The age requirement in the WNBA will remain 22 until at least 2025 when the current CBA expires.
Clark has not said if she will use her fifth year or enter the draft, but she will return to Iowa for her senior year.
Clark lit up the NCAA tournament. She scored 20+ points in every tournament game. She also dropped 41 points and 10 rebounds in the Elite Eight against Louisville. Clark followed it up with another 41-point performance as Iowa took down undefeated South Carolina in the Final Four.
The star player posted a 30-point performance in the national title game, but the Hawkeyes came up short as LSU dominated the game on offense. Clark was given four personal fouls early in the game and had to play to avoid fouling out.
CAITLIN CLARK FROM DEEP IN THE NATTY 🔥 https://t.co/Vq299tGW4w
Caitlin Clark's season stats
Caitlin Clark finished the season averaging 27.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 8.6 assists per game. She was the nation's second-leading scorer and the nation’s leader in assists. She shot 47.3% from the field, 38.9% from 3-point range, and 83.9% from the free-throw line.
Caitlin Clark may be able to earn more money in NIL deals in college than playing professionally in the WNBA. The rookie salary for top-four picks in the WNBA is around $72,000. Meanwhile, in the NBA, top-four picks usually earn between $6 and $9.5 million per year.