Shockingly, Caitlin Clark recently announced that she will be retiring because to…

IOWA CITY, Iowa: On Wednesday, Caitlin Clark had her last opportunity to bid Iowa supporters farewell, and naturally, a sizable audience was present.

In addition to being named the unanimous national player of the year, Clark became major college basketball’s all-time leading scorer this season. She was recognized with her teammates at a celebration held at Iowa’s home arena to mark the Hawkeyes’ second consecutive national runner-up finish in the NCAA Tournament.

“I think you guys have motivated me just as much as I have inspired you,” Clark remarked to the roughly 8,000 spectators at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa. And you made it possible for me to fulfill my dream every single day; I’m incredibly grateful for that. I will always consider this place to be home because it has been so special.

Clark finished her career with 3,951 points and 1,144 assists. She was an All-American in every season of her career, which began when she played in front of small crowds during her freshman year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Clark is predicted to be the Indiana Fever’s first overall pick in Monday’s WNBA Draft.

When Iowa sports director Beth Goetz announced that Clark’s jersey number 22, which is the third to be retired in program history, he was met with a standing ovation.

Goetz told Clark, “I think they like you,” following the news.

“I’m really grateful for it; it’s really amazing,” Clark remarked. “There have been many excellent 22s who have performed for this show before me, such Sam Logic and Kathleen Doyle. That figure is significant in ways that go far beyond me. It will be a memorable day when it occurs, and I sincerely appreciate it.”

The Hawkeyes’ consecutive journeys to the national championship game were dubbed “exceptional” by Iowa coach Lisa Bluder.

“This year was particularly noteworthy, as no one could have predicted our success,” she remarked. “Except for these women up here, nobody thought we could duplicate what we did last year.”

The fact that the Hawkeyes have been able to attract large audiences this season made the attendance at the event not surprising.

During the regular season, the Hawkeyes drew 238,620 spectators to all of their home games, and that number does not include the 55,646 spectators who attended the women’s basketball single-game attendance record-setting “Crossover at Kinnick” outdoor exhibition game in October at Iowa’s Kinnick Stadium.