Caitlin Clark admits she declared for WNBA Draft to help other teammates receive recognition

It’s been an incredible season for Iowa Hawkeyes‘ star Caitlin Clark. Amid being the face of women’s basketball, Clark broke the all-time women’s college scoring record and, since then, has now declared for the WNBA Draft where she’s expected to be the top pick.

Clark declared for the WNBA Draft before the season was over, which some people felt was interesting timing. However, according to her, she declared for the draft when she did to help her other teammates receive recognition.

“Absolutely, I think that’s super important because those other seniors have given so much to this program,” Caitlin Clark said. “Been some of my best friends and people that they need to be celebrated the same way that I will be. I think that’s really special.”

In particular, the timing of Clark’s decision is key. It comes before Senior Day because, as she explained, she wanted the other seniors, including Molly Davis, Gabbie Marshall, and Kate Martin.

“I didn’t want that day to be something like, ‘Is Caitlin gonna stay? Is she gonna go?’ I want it to just be a celebration of what we’ve been able to give to this program, what we’ve been able to do. But even for ourselves and our team, being able to have some clarity and enjoy that day with each other, especially Kate and Gab, people that I’ve started every single game with. They’ve been two of my best friends, people that have had my back since the day I stepped on campus. So, they deserve that day just as much as anybody ever has.”

Senior Day for Iowa is set to come in a key Big Ten battle against Ohio State on Sunday, March 3rd.

Regardless of the timing, Caitlin Clark’s decision has sparked a lot of excitement in the state of Indiana. The Indiana Fever won the WNBA lottery and have the top pick. Now, since Clark’s declaration for the draft, season ticket prices have doubled.

Caitlin Clark explains why she chose now to declare for WNBA Draft

The decision to move on from Iowa was never going to be an easy one. However, it’s one that Caitlin Clark admitted she’s known for a while and chose to do when she did because she felt the timing was right.

“Going into Senior Night, having that decision clear not only for myself, but for the fans, my teammates, I think that was super important. Getting the weight of the world off my shoulders, and being able to enjoy this last month with my teammates, I think is the biggest thing,” Clark said.

“I’ve gone honestly back and forth a little bit, especially early in the year. I think as the season played out, it became more clear to me. I know I said at the beginning of the year I definitely just kind of feel in my gut and know in my gut. And I think that’s exactly what happened. I think I’ve known for a little while, honestly. I’ve had quite a few conversations with our coaching staff, and they were always very supportive in trying to help me understand both sides and see both sides, so I think especially over the last couple weeks, my decision has become more clear.”