Caitlin Clark announces she’s leaving Iowa behind with ‘Pistol’ Pete Maravich’s unbroken 54-year NCAA record in sight
Caitlin Clark is on the verge of major NCAA history.
The unstoppable women's basketball scorer is also going pro at the same time.
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Clark, who is just 18 points away from breaking a record that has stood for 54 years, took to social media on Thursday to announce that she's leaving the Iowa Hawkeyes behind and heading to the WNBA.
Clark is a lock to become the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft.
She already holds the NCAA women's scoring record and is set to break an all-time mark set by 'Pistol Pete' on Sunday when No. 6 Iowa faces No. 2 Ohio State.
"While this season is far from over and we have a lot more goals to achieve, it will be my last one at Iowa," Clark posted. "I am excited to be entering the 2024 WNBA Draft.
"It is impossible for me to fully express my gratitude to everyone who has supported me during my time at Iowa -- my teammates, who made the last four years the best; my coaches, trainers and staff who always let me be me."
Maravich was a scoring machine during an era when the 3-pointer didn't exist.
He averaged an astounding 44.2 points per game at LSU and finished with an NCAA record 3,667.
Maravich also only played three college seasons, meaning that he put up his huge numbers in a significantly shorter time period.
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Still, Clark has been a record-setter at Iowa and the new face of women's basketball.
Tickets for Iowa-Ohio State are in the $400 range just for entry.
Earlier this week, it had become the most expensive ticket for a women's basketball game in history.
Clark enters her final regular-season game averaging 32.2 points, 8.7 assists and 7.4 rebounds this season, while shooting 46.9 percent from the field, 39.5 percent on 3s and 84.9 percent from the free throw line.
She could have stayed one more year at Iowa because of COVID rules but knew it was time to enter the pros.
"None of this would have been possible without my family and friends who have been by my side though it all," Clark posted. "Because of you, my dreams came true."
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