Iowa to Retire Caitlin Clark’s No. 22 Jersey After Record-Breaking Season

The University of Iowa is officially retiring Caitlin Clark’s No. 22 after her record-breaking collegiate career.

The Hawkeyes’ athletic director, Beth Goetz, announced the decision during an event on Wednesday night celebrating Iowa’s second national championship in as many years. With Clarke in attendance, Goetz revealed that the player will be only the third woman in the university’s history to have her retired number hung from the gym’s rafters.

“Today, I want to add just one more [honor],” Goetz told Clark on Wednesday. “With almost as much certainty as Caitlin’s shot from the logo would drop through the net to the roar of this excited Carver crowd, we always knew your jersey would be hanging in the rafters one day,” Goetz said.

“It’s a privilege for me to now make that official,” she concluded. “You will be the last to wear No. 22.”

It’s a fitting tribute for Clark, who has rejuvenated the sport during her time with Iowa. She broke 45 separate Division I records and left the Hawkeyes with 3,951 points, the most of any previous Division I player, male or female. Under Clark’s tenure, women’s basketball had its most-watched game since 1999. Four million people tuned in to watch Clark and the Hawkeyes defeat Ohio State on March 3.

Wednesday night also served as Clark’s unofficial goodbye party before joining the WNBA. She’s expected to be the association’s top pick in next week’s WNBA draft, taking place in Brooklyn.

“You all inspired me just as much as I inspired you,” Clarke told the crowd Wednesday in Carver Arena, “and you allowed me to live out my dream every single day. For that I’m forever thankful,” she said, before heading into the stands to sign autographs for her screaming fans.