Caitlin Clark Entering The WNBA Draft
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Topline
Caitlin Clark, one of the biggest stars in women’s basketball, announced Thursday afternoon she will leave the University of Iowa after four years and enter the WNBA draft this April.
Iowa guard Caitlin Clark (22) points after an Iowa basket scored during the first half of an NCAA … [+]
Key Facts
The question of whether Clark would stay at Iowa—where she has a fifth year of eligibility because of Covid-19—loomed over her season before her Thursday announcement.
Many wondered whether Clark would stay at Iowa to continue earning money as a college athlete through her name, image and likeness, or whether she’d try to carry her success over into the WNBA, where there are fewer fans and salaries are typically lower than in other professional sports.
In a tweet announcing her departure from Iowa, Clark thanked her teammates, family, coaches, fans and others, saying the people involved in her collegiate basketball career made her “dreams come true.”
This season, Clark—who has broken a number of records, including becoming the all-time leading scorer in Division I women’s basketball—is averaging 32.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 8.7 assists per game.
Clark has secured NIL deals with brands including Gatorade, State Farm, Nike and Buick, among others, according to HawkCentral.
Big Number
$910,000. That’s how much it’s estimated that Clark will make on NIL deals this season, making her the 30th-highest-paid college athlete, according to On3NIL, which tracks NIL data.
Surprising Fact
The highest salary Clark could earn during her first year in the WNBA is $76,535, MarketWatch reported, though she could continue making money off the court in endorsement deals.
Key Background
Clark has been credited with bringing new life to women’s college basketball in recent years. This season, Iowa has sold out 11 road games—the latest of which was on Wednesday, when Clark broke yet another record—and has sold out nearly all of their home games in Iowa City. Schools where Iowa has traveled to play have had a 150% attendance boost on average compared to other home games, the Associated Press reported. Fox Sports announcer Gus Johnson said Clark is in a league of her own earlier this month, saying “nobody’s ever had a player like this … She plays in a different dimension and realm.”
What To Watch For
Where Clark ends up. The former national player of the year is expected to be the No. 1 pick in the April draft, meaning she will likely join the Indiana Fever. The WNBA draft is on April 15 in New York City and will be aired on ESPN.
Further Reading
Read More: Caitlin Clark Entering The WNBA Draft 2024-02-29 22:44:31