Caitlin Clark has a decision to make. Will she enter the WNBA Draft or return to Iowa?!
The 21-year-old women’s college basketball superstar has an additional year of eligibility at her disposal because of the blanket waiver granted to all NCAA athletes during the 2020 pandemic. She has already played four years for the Hawkeyes.
Caitlin Clark is expected to be selected first overall by the Fever, who won the WNBA Draft lottery earlier this week. It would be shocking if Indiana selected literally anyone else.
All of the signs point toward Clark going pro at the end of March. Local businesses are already campaigning for her to do so!
However, there is a lot of time between now and a decision.
Iowa has 19 regular season games remaining. That doesn’t include the Big Ten Tournament or the NCAA Tournament.
If things go as well as they did last year, Clark’s fourth year with the Hawkeyes will not end until the national championship on Sunday, April 7. Then, and only then, will she be forced to decide.
An announcement could come much sooner. It could come after the season ends.
Either way, Lisa Bluder is letting Clark come to a resolution on her own.
She is really intelligent and she has great parents that are going to help her make the right decision for her. All of us think we know the right decision for her. But ultimately it has to be her decision.
— Iowa women’s basketball coach Lisa Bluder
Although the 62-year-old head coach is putting the decision in Clark’s hands, she is not going to stay silent. Her approach will be rational and forthcoming.
I have talked to her about it, she hasn’t approached me. I approached her and talked to her about it. I think my role is to point out the pros and cons of both […]
My role is to point out the opportunities that Iowa can provide in the benefits of staying for another year.
— Iowa women’s basketball coach Lisa Bluder
Everything else is up to Clark.
NIL could keep Caitlin Clark at Iowa.
Typically, the decision to turn pro or stay in school comes down to money. Especially prior to July 1, 2020.
In the NIL era, finances are not as crucial for someone like Clark. She is already making good money through her Name, Image and Likeness deals.
They include some pretty big names!
- October 2022 — Nike
- March 2022 — H&R Block
- July 2022 — Topps
- March 2023 — Buick
- March 2023 — Bose
- October 2023 — State Farm
Clark became the fourth collegiate athlete to join Gatorade’s roster earlier this week. In honor of the signing, the company will donate $22,000 to the Caitlin Clark Foundation.
A WNBA salary is not that impressive. Last year’s No. 1 overall pick, Aliyah Boston, made $74,305 during her rookie season.
Clark is likely making way more than that number through NIL deals already. That could help to keep her at Iowa! Especially considering the size of her brand on the collegiate level.
However, those NIL deals don’t just go away when she turns pro. Clark will turn them into endorsement deals upon entry into the WNBA. The additional $75k would come on top of that already-established money.
Regardless of what Clark chooses, her head coach of four years will be in support!