Caitlin Clark reveals thought process ahead of WNBA Draft decision

Iowa star Caitlin Clark will have a big decision to make this offseason when it comes to whether to enter the WNBA Draft. The 2022-23 consensus Player of the Year is set to enter her senior season with the Hawkeyes, but could return for a fifth year thanks to an extra season of eligibility granted by the 2020-21 COVID year.

Clark spoke with HawkeyeReport recently where she opened up on her thought process regarding the WNBA Draft. With plenty of time to make that decision, she still isn’t sure what she will do. She compared the situation to a second recruiting process, saying she will trust her gut when the time comes.

“I guess the biggest thing for myself is just I’m going to go based off of my gut at the end of the day,” Clark said. “I think that’s the biggest thing I should trust is I’m going to know when I need to know if I want to stay or if I want to go, and I think it was very similar to my college decision. It feels weird, I feel like I’m in like the recruiting process in a way again, but to a lower extent.

“But I feel like it’s not something that that I think about every single day. It’s not something that I let weigh on me. It’s like I’m focused on helping this team be the best team they can be, and when I know that decision, all of you will know.”

Caitlin Clark likely would have been one of the top picks in the 2023 WNBA Draft, but she was not eligible. WNBA rules state that players must be at least 22 years old, and Clark will not turn 22 until January.

Clark helped lead the Hawkeyes to just their second Final Four appearance in school history this past season, setting several records in the process. She poured in two 40-point games on the road to the title game, including recording the first 40-point triple-double in NCAA Tournament history — men’s or women’s — in the Elite Eight against Louisville.

In addition to her tournament records, Clark also became the first women’s player to record at least 900 points and 300 assists in the same season. She was the only player in the country this season with more than 950 points, 300 assists, 240 rebounds and 45 steals.

The Iowa native currently ranks second all-time in program history in career points, and is just 88 points away from claiming the top spot. That being the case, it seems like a given she will make more history this season.

The Hawkeyes ultimately fell just short of a national championship, losing in the title game to LSU. Clark will hope to lead them on another deep run this year, while waiting until the end of the season to officially make the decision on her pro future.

Given her personal connection to the state of Iowa and this program, there’s a lot to consider.

“I think the biggest thing is I’m just going to trust my gut,” she said. “I’m not going to do research on what’s better and all this stuff and find data. I’m just going to trust my gut and go with that.

“I think that’s the most telling thing, and that was the most telling thing for me in my recruiting process. I know there was a lot of really good options, but in my heart I wanted to be here and that’s why I selected this place. I think it’s going to be the same when I make the decision to stay here or leave.”