Close the book on Caitlin Clark’s Iowa career, and what a great read it was

CLEVELAND — Thanks, Caitlin.

That was the first theme that South Carolina Coach Dawn Staley hit upon after her team topped Iowa for the NCAA women’s basketball championship.

“I don’t want to not utilize this opportunity to thank Caitlin (Clark) for what she's done for women's basketball,” Staley said. “Her shoulders were heavy and getting a lot of eyeballs on our game.

“And sometimes as a young person, it can be a bit much, but I thought she handled it with class. I hope that every step of the ladder of success that she goes, she's able to elevate whatever room she's in.”

Clark scored 30 points — 18 in a frenetic first quarter — but South Carolina prevailed, 87-75, Sunday afternoon at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

She finishes her career with 3,951 points (most in NCAA history), and 1,144 assists (third all-time).

“There’s going to be tears,” she said, holding it together admirably on the dais after the game. “It is sad this is all over, and this is the last time I'm going to put on an Iowa jersey.”

It’s the last time any Iowa women’s basketball player wears “22,” which soon will be shuttled to the Carver-Hawkeye Arena rafters.

A statue of Clark, arms outspread, would be an appropriate final tribute somewhere down the line.

“She has raised the excitement of our sport, there's no doubt,” Iowa Coach Lisa Bluder said. “Just because she does things in a different way than anybody else can do.

“I really think that when she came in as a freshman and she said, ‘We're going to the Final Four,’ a lot of people laughed at her and maybe even laughed at her for coming to Iowa, quite honestly.”

Clark believed, then delivered. She led the Hawkeyes to a 109-30 record and three Big Ten tournament championships in her four unforgettable seasons.

And two NCAA championship games.

It’s no coincidence that the interest in women’s basketball — in attendance or television viewership — has never been higher.

Iowa drew 9.9 million TV viewers for the title game with LSU last year, 12.3 million for the rematch with LSU in the Elite Eight last week, 14.2 million for the semifinal win over Connecticut on Friday.

The figures for the championship game won’t be released until Monday, but 15-20 million would be a good guess.

“Do I think South Carolina is a part of it? Yeah, we're a part of it,” Staley said. “I don't know what part, but you can see the numbers that, when Caitlin plays in a game, you see the numbers. They're real numbers, and a lot of people like to deal in those real numbers.”

Her work here is done, well done. Next Monday, she’ll belong to the Indiana Fever of the WNBA.

“I can't believe this is my last career game,” Clark said. “There's just so much to be proud of.”

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Caitlin Clark leaves Iowa her way, battling with her head held high

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com