IOWA CITY, Iowa--Earlier this week, Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark announced that she would be forgoing her additional year of eligibility and will be entering the 2024 WNBA Draft. Clark is the overwhelming favorite to go No. 1 overall to the Indiana Fever. On Friday afternoon, Clark met with local reporters to explain the decision, shines a light on her teammates and more. Here are some of the notable quotes from her press conference.
Why was the decision made now?
"I think just going into senior night, having that decision clear — not only for myself but our fans, my teammates — I think that was super important. Just 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. I think I kind of knew in my heart, so being able to get that off my shoulders was the biggest thing. I think it’s just important going into this final stretch — our last home game and then obviously probably hosting two NCAA Tournament games at home — I think just really enjoying that and soaking that in is my biggest focus."
"I’ve honestly gone back and forth a little bit, especially early in the year. As the season kind of played out, it became more clear to me. I know I said at the beginning of the year, I will definitely just feel in my gut and know in my gut, and I think that’s exactly what happened. I kind of knew what was going to be the right step for me. Obviously, I had a lot of support around me. My family, my friends, talked to them. I think everybody supported my decision, and that’s obviously reassuring.
But I think that was the biggest thing, honestly. I felt it in my gut, and you obviously weigh the pros and cons of both sides. There are pros and cons both ways. But I just knew in my heart, and that kind of goes back to my whole recruiting process, too. I knew in my heart I had to be here. I knew in my heart here, what we’ve been able to do has been so special. And that’s obviously not over. But I think I’m ready for the next chapter in my life, too."
"I’ve had quite a few conversations with our coaching staff. They were always supportive in helping me try to understand both sides and see both sides. I think especially over the last couple weeks, my decision has become more clear."
Part of the reason she announced before Senior Night is so that the fans would pay attention to other seniors who have sacrificed:
"I think that’s super important. Those other seniors have given so much to this program, been some of my best friends. And they need to be celebrated the same way I will be. I didn’t want that day to be all about is Caitlin going to stay or is she going to go? I want it to just be a celebration of what we’ve been able to give to this program and 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 Gabbie, people who I’ve started every single game with. They’ve been two of my best friends and two people who’ve had my back since I stepped on campus. They deserve that day just as much as anybody has."
On Sharon Goodman deciding to prepare for Nursing School rather than play another season of college basketball:
"Sharon's one of the best teammates I've ever had. As long as I've played sports, whether it's soccer, basketball, whatever. She's just always there for people. She really cares about people, she loves people. She's one of the purest souls I've ever been around."
"The biggest thing is, we support her no matter what. I know she's going to make a really, really great nurse. If any of you know her, you know that's the perfect job for her."
Clark added that she feels more free and her focus is 100 percent on the Hawkeyes:
"Obviously, my focus is here. My goal is to win a national title. Plain and simple, that’s what I want to do. To be honest, I’m not really looking that far ahead into the WNBA and what’s going to happen when. All of that will pan out whenever our season ends and that’s hopefully with a national title. That’s my main focus, and I think having this decision done will allow me to play my best basketball. And that’s honestly my main priority. I think that’s what led me to announce it when did.
"There was always going to be that pressure whether I was making the decision or not, and it’s something I kind of embrace. I’m very lucky to be in this position and for people to be so invested in what I’m going to do, a fan base that cares so much about it. I’m obviously very thankful for the support. I know a lot of Iowa fans may be a little bit sad. But for the most part, it seems like everyone is very appreciative of what we’ve been able to do over my four years. That means the world to me, and hopefully we can go out the right way and really just keep winning basketball games. I feel like we’re playing really well right now. That’s the biggest thing."
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