Asked about WNBA, Caitlin Clark says she’s focused on Iowa’s season
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Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, Lisa Bluder react to loss at Indiana
Star Caitlin Clark and head coach Lisa Bluder react to Iowa’s loss at Indiana.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Iowa basketball star Caitlin Clark deflected when asked about the WNBA’s Indiana Fever following the Hawkeyes’ 86-69 loss to the Hoosiers on Thursday.
The Fever have the first pick in the 2024 WNBA draft. Clark, who is in her fourth season at Iowa, could return to the Hawkeyes next season because of the extra eligibility granted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She is considered the likely No. 1 pick if she enters the WNBA draft.
Basketball fans and media in the Hoosier State are keenly interested in Clark’s plans for next season. But the NCAA’s career scoring leader for Division I women’s basketball has not indicated one way or the other.
“Honestly, I’m just focused on this (Iowa) team right now,” Clark said Thursday when asked about the Fever. “Playing my heart out for Iowa and getting to represent my state every single day. That’s what it’s all about. I’m not really too worried about the future. That is what it is. It comes when it comes. Whatever I decide. But I go game by game. I got to learn from this. I got to move on. And then we got a really good Illinois team at home. So we’ve got to get ready for that.”
Thursday was Iowa’s largest margin of defeat this season. The Hawkeyes were outplayed by Indiana in a raucous Assembly Hall. Clark finished the game with 24 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, but struggled to score efficiently, shooting just 8-of-26 from the field.
Thursday’s loss was a major hit to Iowa’s Big Ten regular-season title hopes. With three games remaining the Hawkeyes (23-4, 12-3) face an unlikely path to getting that done. Ohio State has a two-game lead over Iowa.
It’s worth noting that Iowa didn’t win the regular-season Big Ten title last season but went on to win the Big Ten Tournament and later advanced to the NCAA title game.
Follow Tyler Tachman on X @Tyler_T15, contact via email at ttachman@gannett.com
Read More: Asked about WNBA, Caitlin Clark says she’s focused on Iowa’s season 2024-02-23 04:28:40