Getty Image / Caitlin Clark
Millions of Americans were hoping for the storybook ending to Iowa superstar guard Caitlin Clark’s career. The NCAA’s all-time leading scorer lost in the national championship game last year and was hoping to beat South Carolina on Sunday for a title in her final collegiate game.
But, it was not meant to be, as South Carolina beat Iowa, 87-75. Caitlin Clark will end her Iowa career without a national title, though she’s won everything else.
After the game on Sunday, Clark posted her goodbye message to Hawkeye Nation.
“Words cannot express my love for my teammates, coaches, fans and our university – Thanks for making my dreams come true. Wearing Iowa across my chest the last four years has been an honor. This place will always be home,” Clark said on social media.
Early on, it looked like she would get the storybook ending to her unprecedented career. Caitlin Clark was on fire early, scoring 18 first-quarter points en route to a 27-20 Iowa lead after the first quarter.
But, South Carolina coach Dawn Staley is one of the best coaches in America, and she made some key adjustments. After the first quarter, Caitlin Clark was just 5/20 from the field and 2/9 from three-point range as South Carolina exerted the dominance that helped them to an undefeated season.
Make no mistake, Clark’s legacy is still as big as any college athlete in history. It’s hard to imagine anyone having a better career that didn’t involve a championship than Caitlin Clark has had.
Now, she will take her talents to the WNBA, as she decided to forgo her final year of collegiate eligibility. Caitlin Clark will almost certainly be the first-overall pick of the Indiana Fever when the WNBA Draft kicks off on April 15.
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