Caitlin Clark on fifth-year decision to stay at Iowa or go to WNBA: ‘I’m just going to trust my gut’

Will Iowa standout Caitlin Clark return for a fifth season in 2024-25 or make the leap to the WNBA? The decision is still up in the air for the basketball superstar.

According to Clark, “I’m going to go based off of my gut. At the end of the day, that’s the biggest thing that I think I should trust. … I’m going to know when I need to know if I want to stay or if I want to go.”

She likened her decision to being recruited out of high school, emphasizing that it’s not something she dwells on daily. “It’s really not something I think about every single day,” she said. “It’s not something I let weigh on me. 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. I think the biggest thing will be I’m just going to trust my gut and go with that.”

After leading the Hawkeyes to their first NCAA title game appearance and winning the 93rd AAU James E. Sullivan Award, Clark is back for her senior season, where expectations for her and the team are sky high. With an impressive track record of 2,717 points through three seasons and the potential to be the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, the decision is definitely a tough one.

Why go to the WNBA?

Should Clark choose to head to the WNBA, she will go down in history as one of the most accomplished players in women’s collegiate basketball. An extreme competitor, she craves the challenge of playing against the world’s best basketball players.

Why stay at Iowa for Year 5?

On the other hand, staying at Iowa means Clark would continue to be an influential figure in collegiate sports. With high-level NIL deals and significant earning potential, she could also maintain her status as a positive and engaging personality both on and off the court.

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(Photo: Kevin Jairaj / USA Today)