Lisa Bluder, on mentoring Caitlin Clark in her stay-or-go-pro decision

IOWA CITY — In a way, Lisa Bluder is recruiting Caitlin Clark again.

Clark’s future with the Iowa women’s basketball team is a hot topic again, after Sunday’s announcement that the Indiana Fever will have the first pick of the 2024 WNBA Draft.

A senior, Clark is part of the final class that has the option to take a COVID-related fifth year of college eligibility. If she chooses to move on, she is likely to be chosen by the Fever with that No. 1 pick.

“I’ve approached her about it,” Bluder said Wednesday. “My role is to point out the pros and cons of both (decisions). She’s really intelligent, with good parents.”

In an interview with The Gazette in August, Clark declared herself “a 6” on a scale of 1 to 10 in likelihood of her staying.

But that was four months ago. Clark wasn’t made available to local media following Iowa’s win over Wisconsin on Sunday, which ended just before the draft lottery was held.

The WNBA Draft is April 15.

“Ultimately, it has to be her decision,” Bluder said. “None of us can make that decision for her. We all want what’s best for her.

“My role is to point out the opportunities that another year (at Iowa) can provide, the benefits of staying another year. I’m sure Indiana will do the same thing on their end.”

The fourth-ranked Hawkeyes (10-1) will send Clark — a West Des Moines native — back to Central Iowa on Saturday for a meeting with Cleveland State (9-1).

Tipoff is 6 p.m. at Wells Fargo Arena in downtown Des Moines.

“It’s a fun opportunity to get Caitlin back to Des Moines in her senior year,” Bluder said. “It’s a win-win, playing on a neutral court in a game that will help our NET ranking.”

Cleveland State has won nine consecutive games, the last three without leading scorer Destiny Leo (20.7), who is out for the season with an injury.

“It’s unfortunate. You want to play teams at their best,” Bluder said. “But everybody else has picked up in (Leo’s absence).”

Meanwhile, the Hawkeyes are back at full strength with the return of Hannah Stuelke, who scored 21 points against Wisconsin.

It was Stuelke’s second game back after missing the previous three.

“I think she’s close to being back to (100 percent),” Bluder said. “I don’t foresee a lineup change (Saturday).”

That probably means a starting lineup of Clark, Kate Martin, Gabbie Marshall, Molly Davis and Sharon Goodman.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com