50 Iowa moments since Title IX: Caitlin Clark’s record-breaking first two seasons at Iowa

Editor’s note: This is 37th in a series counting down the Top 50 moments in Iowa Hawkeyes women’s athletics history in the 50 days leading up to the 50th anniversary of Title IX in June.

Dawn Staley, a former national player of the year and Hall of Fame point guard herself, sees another transformational point guard in the sport — Iowa’s Caitlin Clark.

“You are a generational player,” Staley told Clark on an April video call. “One that transcends the sport.”

That praise came as Clark did something no other athlete has done — win the Dawn Staley Point Guard of the Year Award in consecutive seasons.

It’s just one of many firsts or broken records for the women’s basketball star in her first two seasons in Iowa City.

In 2021-22, Clark became the first women’s basketball player to lead the country in both points and assists despite only being a sophomore. She came close as a freshman, too, finishing first in points and third in assists.

“People are taking notice,” said Rebecca Lobo, the Hall of Fame women’s basketball player and ESPN commentator, on The Gazette’s Hawk Off the Press podcast in February. “She’s becoming, if she isn’t already, a household name for women’s basketball fans in this country.”

The West Des Moines native is one of just 10 women’s basketball players ever to record triple-doubles in back-to-back games. She also reached the 1,500-career-point mark faster than any other college basketball player — men’s or women’s — in the last 20 years.

“Caitlin is bringing national attention to our team, and that’s a good thing,” Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder said. “When Caitlin’s light shines, it shines on all of us.”

Clark still has another two years — or three with her COVID-19 year of eligibility — to accomplish more. Staley even joked about it on that day in April.

“It is my pleasure for the third,” Staley started to say before catching herself. “No, for the second time. I see you next year, OK.”

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