Women’s college basketball season is officially underway, which marks the beginning of a new era at the University of Iowa. Caitlin Clark just wrapped up her rookie year with the Indiana Fever and head coach Lisa Bluder handed the keys to Jan Jensen.
Even though the greatest scorer of all-time is gone, she is making sure that the Hawkeyes keep their priorities in check— Hannah Stuelke in particular.
Stuelke, a junior, was the top-ranked recruit out of Iowa in the Class of 2022 and ranked as a top-50 prospect overall. She was the Big Ten’s Sixth Player of the Year as a freshman. She earned Second Team All-Big Ten honors as a sophomore.
If the Hawkeyes are going to be any good this year, Stuelke will have to be a major contributor at the forward position while Villanova transfer Lucy Olsen does her best to fill Clark’s massive shoes at the guard spot. They both were named to the preseason All-Big Ten team earlier this month.
See who the media voted as their preseason All-Big Ten Team, Player of the Year, and top 5 in the poll.#B1GWBball pic.twitter.com/nn3xpcikzE
— Big Ten Women's Basketball (@B1Gwbball) September 26, 2024
Clark just began her offseason and will likely be around the Iowa program as often as possible over the next six months or so. She is still staying on her former teammates from a distance in the meantime!
The WNBA’s Rookie of the Year comments on their Instagram posts with a reminder to stay humble. Especially Stuelke, who shared a series of photos to celebrate the end of summer over Labor Day weekend.
Clark responded:
Get in the gym.
— @caitlinclark22 on Instagram
Stuelke posted three photos from media day over the weekend.
Clark replied:
Less photoshoots. More work💯 ya got me?
— @caitlinclark22 on Instagram
No matter where Hannah Stuelke goes, or what she does, Caitlin Clark is watching closely. Teammates hold each other accountable even when they are no longer teammates!
We are still a very long way from this reality, but it is going to be pure cinema whenever Clark becomes a coach. She is going to stay on her players just like she stays on Stuelke. It comes from a place of love, admiration and friendship.