Caitlin Clark facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Caitlin Clark

Clark with the Indiana Fever in 2024
No. 22 – Indiana Fever
Point guard
Personal information
Born	(2002-01-22) January 22, 2002 (age 23) Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.
High school	Dowling Catholic (West Des Moines, Iowa)
Listed height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Listed weight	157 lb (71 kg)
Career information
College	Iowa (2020–2024)
NBA Draft	2024 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1st overall
Selected by the Indiana Fever
Pro career	2024–present
League	WNBA
Career history
2024–present	Indiana Fever
Career highlights and awards
2× WNBA All-Star (2024, 2025) All-WNBA First Team (2024) WNBA Rookie of the Year (2024) WNBA All-Rookie Team (2024) WNBA Commissioner's Cup champion (2025) WNBA Assists Leader (2024) WNBA Peak Performer – Assists (2024) AP Female Athlete of the Year (2024) 2× AP Player of the Year (2023, 2024) 2× Honda-Broderick Cup (2023, 2024) 2× Honda Sports Award (2023, 2024) 2× James E. Sullivan Award (2023, 2024) 2× John R. Wooden Award (2023, 2024) 2× Naismith College Player of the Year (2023, 2024) 2× USBWA National Player of the Year (2023, 2024) 2× Wade Trophy (2023, 2024) 3× Unanimous first-team All-American (2022–2024) 4× First-team All-American – USBWA (2021–2024) 3× First-team All-American – AP (2022–2024) 4× WBCA Coaches' All-American (2021–2024) Second-team All-American – AP (2021) 2× Women's Basketball Academic All-American of the Year (2023, 2024) 2× Division I Academic All-American of the Year (2023, 2024) 3× First-team Academic All-America (2022–2024) 3× Nancy Lieberman Award (2022–2024) 3× Dawn Staley Award (2021–2023) 2× Big Ten Female Athlete of the Year (2023, 2024) 3× Big Ten Player of the Year (2022–2024) 3× Big Ten tournament MOP (2022–2024) 4× First-team All-Big Ten (2021–2024) WBCA Co-Freshman of the Year (2021) USBWA National Co-Freshman of the Year (2021) Big Ten All-Freshman Team (2021) Big Ten Freshman of the Year (2021) 3× NCAA season scoring leader (2021, 2022, 2024) 3× NCAA season assists leader (2022–2024) NCAA Division I all-time scoring leader No. 22 retired by Iowa Hawkeyes McDonald's All-American (2020) Iowa Miss Basketball (2020) FIBA Under-19 World Cup MVP (2021)
Medals Women's basketball Representing the  United States FIBA Under-19 World Cup Gold 2021 Hungary Team Gold 2019 Thailand Team FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship Gold 2017 Argentina Team

Caitlin Elizabeth Clark (born January 22, 2002) is an American professional basketball player. She plays for the Indiana Fever in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Many people consider Clark one of the best female college players ever. She was named the national female college basketball player of the year twice while playing for the Iowa Hawkeyes. She holds the record for the most points scored in NCAA Division I history. Clark has helped make women's basketball much more popular, a trend called the "Caitlin Clark effect".

Clark went to Dowling Catholic High School in her hometown of West Des Moines, Iowa. There, she was named a McDonald's All-American. ESPN ranked her as the fourth-best player in her high school class. In her first year at Iowa, she led NCAA Division I in scoring. She also earned All-American honors. As a second-year player, Clark was a top All-American. She became the first woman to lead Division I in both points and assists in one season.

In her third year, she was named national player of the year. She led Iowa to its first national championship game. She again led Division I in assists. She also set new Big Ten records for points and assists in a single season. As a fourth-year player, she was again named national player of the year. She helped Iowa reach the national title game once more. Clark also set Division I women's records for career points and three-pointers. She broke the conference record for assists. She led the nation in both points and assists.

Clark won three gold medals with the United States youth teams. This included two at the FIBA Under-19 Women's Basketball World Cup. She was named the Most Valuable Player in 2021.

The Indiana Fever chose Clark as the first overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft. In her first WNBA season, she won the WNBA Rookie of the Year award. She also made the All-WNBA First Team and was a WNBA All-Star. She set WNBA records for assists in a single season and in one game. Clark broke the rookie scoring record. She also became the first rookie to get a triple-double.

Early Life and Basketball Beginnings

Caitlin Elizabeth Clark was born on January 22, 2002, in Des Moines, Iowa. Her parents are Brent and Anne Clark. Caitlin grew up in Des Moines. She started playing basketball at age five. She played in boys' recreational leagues because there were no girls' leagues for her age.

As a child, Clark also played softball, volleyball, soccer, tennis, and golf. At age 13, she started playing in girls' leagues with older players. In sixth grade, she joined All Iowa Attack. This was a basketball program for young athletes. She played for them until she finished high school. Clark looked up to Maya Moore of the Minnesota Lynx. She often went to their games with her dad.

High School Basketball Journey

Clark played four years of varsity basketball for Dowling Catholic High School. As a first-year student, she averaged 15.3 points per game. She also had 4.7 assists and 2.3 steals. She helped her team reach the state tournament. In her second year, she averaged 27.1 points per game. She was named the best player in her league.

In her third year, Clark scored 60 points in one game. This was the second-highest score in Iowa girls' basketball history. She also set a state record with 13 three-pointers in that game. She led the state in scoring that year. As a fourth-year student, Clark averaged 33.4 points per game. She led the state in scoring for a second time. She finished her high school career with 2,547 points. This is the fourth-most in Iowa five-on-five history. Clark was chosen for the McDonald's All-American Game. This is a very important game for high school players.

Clark was also a starter on her school's soccer team for two years. She scored 23 goals in her first year.

Choosing a College Team

Clark was a highly sought-after player by many top college basketball programs. ESPN ranked her as the number one player in her high school class by her second year. By the end of high school, she was a "five-star recruit." This means she was one of the best players in the country.

On November 12, 2019, Clark decided to play college basketball for Iowa. She liked Iowa's fast-paced offense. She also knew she would have a big role on the team right away.

College Basketball Career

First Year: Making a Big Splash

Clark started as Iowa's main point guard in her first year. She and teammate Monika Czinano were a strong duo. On November 25, 2020, she played her first college game. She scored 27 points and had eight rebounds. In her second game, she scored 30 points and had 13 assists. On December 22, she achieved her first triple-double. This means she had double-digit numbers in three different stats (points, rebounds, assists).

Clark scored a season-high 39 points on February 11, 2021. She also had 10 rebounds and seven assists. She broke the scoring record for the arena where Nebraska plays. At the end of the season, she was named the Big Ten Conference Women's Basketball Freshman of the Year. She also made the first-team All-Big Ten.

Clark helped Iowa reach the finals of the Big Ten tournament. She set a tournament record with 37 assists. In the NCAA tournament, she scored 35 points in a win against Kentucky. Iowa reached the Sweet 16 round. Clark was named a first-team All-American. She was also the first freshman to win the Dawn Staley Award. This award goes to the best guard in Division I. As a freshman, Clark averaged 26.6 points, 7.1 assists, and 5.9 rebounds per game. She led NCAA Division I in scoring.

Second Year: Leading in Points and Assists

Clark during her 46-point game against Michigan in 2022

On January 2, 2022, Clark scored 44 points against Evansville. She broke the scoring record for Iowa's home arena. On January 16, she had her fourth career triple-double. Four days later, she had another triple-double. She became the first Division I player to have two triple-doubles in a row with at least 30 points. On February 6, Clark scored a season-high 46 points against Michigan. She set a new scoring record for Michigan's home arena.

Clark led Iowa to share the Big Ten regular season title. She was named Big Ten Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Year. She also made the first-team All-Big Ten. On March 5, 2022, she scored 41 points in the Big Ten tournament semifinals. She led Iowa to win the title. She was named the tournament's most outstanding player. Clark was a unanimous first-team All-American. She won the Dawn Staley Award for the second time. She also won the Nancy Lieberman Award as the best Division I point guard. As a sophomore, she averaged 27 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists per game. Clark was the first woman to lead Division I in both points and assists in one season.

Third Year: Reaching the National Championship

Clark with Iowa at the 2023 Big Ten tournament

Clark was named preseason Big Ten Player of the Year before her third season. On December 1, 2022, she scored a season-high 45 points. On December 4, she had her seventh career triple-double. She became the Big Ten career leader in triple-doubles. On January 23, 2023, Clark had 28 points, 15 assists, and 10 rebounds. This helped Iowa beat undefeated Ohio State. On February 26, Clark scored 34 points. She made a game-winning three-pointer at the last second against Indiana. She was again named Big Ten Player of the Year.

Clark led Iowa to win its second straight Big Ten tournament championship. She was named the tournament's best player. In the championship game, she had a triple-double. This was the first triple-double in the tournament final. In the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament, she had 41 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds. She became the first player in tournament history to have a 30 or 40-point triple-double. Iowa reached its first Final Four since 1993. In the Final Four, she scored 41 points. Iowa upset undefeated South Carolina, ending their 42-game winning streak. Iowa then reached its first national championship game.

In the national championship, Iowa lost to LSU. Clark scored 30 points and had eight assists. She made eight three-pointers, a record for a title game. Clark broke the men's and women's scoring records for a single NCAA tournament. Her 60 assists were also a record for the women's tournament.

Clark won all the major national player of the year awards. She won the Nancy Lieberman Award for a second time. She also became the first three-time winner of the Dawn Staley Award. She was a unanimous first-team All-American for the second year in a row. As a junior, Clark averaged 27.8 points, 8.6 assists, and 7.1 rebounds per game. She led Division I in assists. She also set Big Ten records for points, assists, three-pointers, and free throws in a season.

Fourth Year: Breaking All-Time Records

Clark on the sidelines at Crossover at Kinnick with Gabbie Marshall in 2023

Before her fourth season, Clark was named preseason Big Ten Player of the Year. On October 15, 2023, she played in a special exhibition game. It was held at Kinnick Stadium. She had a triple-double in front of 55,646 fans. This set a new record for women's basketball attendance. On November 12, Clark had her 12th career triple-double. She became Iowa's all-time leading scorer. She also became only the second Division I player with a triple-double in four different seasons.

Clark in 2023

On December 6, 2023, Clark reached 3,000 career points. On December 30, she became the Big Ten's all-time leader in assists. She also broke Iowa's program record for assists. On January 2, 2024, Clark scored 40 points. She made a game-winning three-pointer as time ran out. On January 21, Clark scored 45 points against Ohio State. After the game, she was accidentally knocked down by a fan rushing the court. She was not seriously hurt.

Clark at the 2024 Big Ten tournament final

On January 31, 2024, Clark broke the Big Ten all-time scoring record. In February, Fox TV started using a special "Caitlin Cam" to follow her during games. On February 15, Clark became the NCAA Division I women's career scoring leader. She scored a career-high 49 points in that game. On February 28, Clark became the all-time leading scorer among major women's college players. She also set the NCAA single-season record for three-pointers. On March 3, Clark became the NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer for men or women. She passed Pete Maravich's record.

Clark at open practice before the 2024 national championship game

Clark led Iowa to its third straight Big Ten tournament title. She was named the tournament's best player. In the NCAA tournament, Clark broke the record for most points in a single season in Division I women's history. In the Elite Eight, she scored 41 points and had 12 assists against LSU. She led Iowa to its second straight Final Four. Her nine three-pointers tied a tournament game record. She also broke NCAA tournament career records for assists and three-pointers. In the Final Four, Iowa beat UConn. Iowa reached the national championship game for the second year in a row. Iowa lost to South Carolina in the title game. Clark scored 18 points in the first quarter, a record for a championship game. She also broke the NCAA tournament career scoring record.

Clark was named national player of the year for her second straight season. She won many major awards. She also won the Nancy Lieberman Award for a third time. She was a unanimous first-team All-American. Clark finished her college career with a 3.64 GPA. She was named the top academic athlete in women's basketball and all sports. In her senior season, Clark averaged 31.6 points, 8.9 assists, and 7.4 rebounds per game. She led Division I in both scoring and assists. She finished with the highest career scoring average in Division I history. Clark left Iowa with the most career points (3,951) and three-pointers (548). She also had the second-most triple-doubles (17) and third-most assists (1,144) in Division I history.

On February 29, 2024, Clark announced she would enter the 2024 WNBA draft. This meant she would not use her extra year of college eligibility. Many experts expected her to be the first player chosen. Iowa retired her jersey number, 22, on February 2, 2025.

Professional Career: WNBA Star

2024: Rookie Season

Clark shooting for the Indiana Fever in 2024

On April 15, 2024, the Indiana Fever chose Clark as the first overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft. She signed her first professional contract on April 27. Clark played her first regular season game on May 14. She scored 20 points. Ten days later, she had her first double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. This helped the Fever get their first win. On May 28, she scored 30 points against the Los Angeles Sparks.

Clark (left) being defended by Napheesa Collier in 2024

On June 7, 2024, Clark scored 30 points again. She tied a rookie record with seven three-pointers in one game. She also had eight rebounds, six assists, and four steals. On June 23, Clark set a Fever team record with 13 assists in one game. On July 2, she was chosen to play in the WNBA All-Star Game. Four days later, Clark became the first WNBA rookie to get a triple-double. She had 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 13 assists. On July 17, she set a new WNBA single-game assists record with 19 assists. She scored or assisted on 66 points in that game. This broke a record for points produced in a game. In the All-Star Game, she set a rookie record for assists with 10.

On August 18, 2024, Clark set a new WNBA rookie assist record. She passed the record of 225 assists. On August 28, she broke the record for three-pointers made in a rookie season. On August 30, Clark scored 31 points and had 12 assists. On September 4, she got her second triple-double. On September 13, Clark broke the single-season assist record for the WNBA. Two days later, she scored a career-high 35 points. She passed the rookie scoring record.

Clark finished her first season averaging 19.2 points, 8.4 assists (a league high), and 5.7 rebounds per game. She made 122 three-pointers, the second-most in a single season. She led the Fever to their best record (20–20) and their first playoff appearance since 2016. The Fever lost in the first round of the playoffs. Clark was named WNBA Rookie of the Year. She received almost all the votes for the award. She also became the first rookie since 2008 to make the All-WNBA First Team. In December 2024, Time magazine named Clark Athlete of the Year. The AP also named her Female Athlete of the Year. In June 2025, Clark was nominated for two ESPY Awards. At the 2025 ESPY Awards, Clark won the ESPY for Best WNBA Player for the 2024 season.

2025 Season

In the preseason of 2025, Clark missed a game due to a leg injury. She described it as "just a little tightness." She returned for the other two preseason games.

On May 17, 2025, Clark started her second WNBA year with a strong performance. She recorded her third career triple-double. She had 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. This helped the Fever win 93–58. Four games into the season, she averaged 19.0 points, 6 rebounds, and a league-leading 9.3 assists per game. On May 26, 2025, the Fever announced Clark had a strained left quadriceps muscle. She was out for at least two weeks. Clark said her injury happened during a game on May 24.

Clark returned to play on June 14. She led her team with 32 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists. She made seven three-pointers, including three in a row in 38 seconds. In the Fever's game on June 19, Clark had a near triple-double. However, she did not score any three-pointers for only the second time in her professional career. In the next two away games, she struggled with three-pointers but averaged 9.5 assists. On June 26, 2025, the Fever announced Clark would miss a home game due to a left groin injury. This was her sixth missed game of the season. On June 29, Clark was again named an All-Star. She was also named team captain for the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game. She broke her own record for votes received. Clark returned to play on July 9. She played four games, helping the Fever win three of them. She then suffered a right groin injury on July 15. Clark missed her tenth game of the season before the All-Star weekend.

Playing for Team USA

Youth National Team

Clark played for the United States at the 2017 FIBA Under-16 Women's Americas Championship. She helped her team win the gold medal. Clark also played at the 2019 FIBA Under-19 Women's Basketball World Cup. She won another gold medal there. In 2021, Clark led the United States to the gold medal at the 2021 FIBA Under-19 Women's Basketball World Cup. She was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

Senior National Team

In March 2024, Clark was invited to the training camp for the 2024 Summer Olympics. She was the only college player invited. However, she could not attend because she was playing in the NCAA tournament. Clark was not chosen for the final Olympic team. This decision caused some discussion because of her popularity. The Olympic committee said they chose players based on how well they adapt to international games and their experience with the senior national team.

Player Skills and Style

Clark in 2024

Clark is 6 feet 0 inches (1.83 m) tall. She plays point guard. Experts praise her for being very good at many things, especially on offense. She can score close to the basket, from mid-range, and from far away. Her shooting range is amazing. She often makes shots from far behind the three-point line. Her shooting is often compared to National Basketball Association (NBA) player Stephen Curry.

Analysts also praise Clark's passing skills. She can pass the ball quickly in fast breaks. She can also find teammates through many defenders. Her ability to score and pass makes her great in the pick and roll play. Sometimes, she has a high number of turnovers. This is partly because of her aggressive style and how much she handles the ball. People have compared Clark's talent and personality to Diana Taurasi. Iowa's coach, Lisa Bluder, compared her to Sue Bird and Sabrina Ionescu. Clark has learned from players like Maya Moore, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Pete Maravich.

Impact on Women's Basketball

Clark signing autographs after a game in 2024

Many people call Clark a "generational talent." She is seen as one of the greatest women's college basketball players ever. Her amazing shooting range has changed women's basketball. Her impact is compared to Stephen Curry's impact on the men's game. USA Today said she has "redefined what a good shot is."

Clark is given credit for making women's basketball more popular. This is known as the "Caitlin Clark effect". In her senior season, more people watched her games on TV and attended them. The 2023 national championship game became the most-watched women's college basketball game ever (9.9 million viewers). Before her senior season, her team set a women's basketball attendance record with 55,646 fans at a preseason game. The Iowa women's basketball program sold out all its tickets in 2023-24. They made $3.26 million from ticket sales, a record for a women's college team.

At the 2024 NCAA tournament, Clark's last three games broke women's college basketball viewership records. The national championship game had 18.9 million viewers. This was the most-watched basketball game at any level since 2019. It was also the first women's NCAA tournament final to have more viewers than the men's final. In her first WNBA season, she continued to bring in huge crowds and TV viewers. The Fever set a team attendance record. Their last regular season game set a league attendance record with 20,711 fans.

As Clark brought more attention to the WNBA, some players said that some of her fans were being mean online. Clark has spoken out against this behavior. She called these people "trolls" and not true fans.

Career Statistics

WNBA

Regular season

Stats current as of game on July 15, 2025

Playoffs

College

Life Off the Court

Personal Details

Caitlin's father, Brent Clark, played basketball and baseball in college. Her mother, Anne Nizzi-Clark, was a marketing executive. Caitlin has an older brother, Blake, who played college football. She also has a younger brother, Colin. Her cousin, Audrey Faber, played college basketball. Clark is dating Connor McCaffery, who played basketball and baseball for Iowa.

Clark was raised in the Catholic Church. She graduated from the University of Iowa in May 2024. She studied marketing. Clark loves golf and has played in pro-am events with famous golfers. She is a lifelong fan of the Chicago Cubs baseball team. She has thrown out the first pitch for them. She also supports the Kansas City Chiefs football team.

Endorsements and Business Deals

Clark with "Jake from State Farm" (Kevin Miles) in a promotion for State Farm in 2023

Clark is represented by Excel Sports Management. She was one of the highest-earning college athletes from endorsement deals. By the end of her college career, her deals were worth an estimated $3.4 million. This was the highest among women's college basketball players. Companies like Nike, Gatorade, Hy-Vee, and State Farm signed deals with her. In 2023, she became the first college athlete to be a spokesperson for State Farm. In 2024, Hy-Vee released a special cereal called "Caitlin's Crunch Time."

In March 2024, Clark became the first female athlete to partner with Panini, a trading card company. She also signed a deal with Gainbridge, a financial company. After she was drafted, reports said she signed a big eight-year, $28 million contract with Nike. This deal included a signature shoe. This would be the largest sponsorship deal ever for a women's basketball player. In June 2025, Nike released her special "Indiana Fever" shoes for sale. They sold out very quickly.

In November 2024, Clark joined a group that wants to bring a new National Women's Soccer League team to Cincinnati.

Television Appearances

Clark made a short appearance on Saturday Night Live in April 2024. She was part of a skit where she joked about women's basketball. Clark was also an executive producer for the ESPN+ show Full Court Press. This show followed three women's college basketball players during the 2023–24 season.

In February 2025, Clark appeared in a 90-second Nike commercial during the 2025 Super Bowl. This was Nike's first Super Bowl ad since 1998.

Helping the Community

Clark speaking at an event for the Caitlin Clark Foundation in 2024

In March 2022, Clark worked with the Coralville Community Food Pantry. They encouraged people to donate $22, matching her jersey number. In the first year, they raised over $23,000. A year later, they raised over $75,000. As of 2024, Clark has helped raise over $100,000 for the food pantry.

In October 2023, Clark started the Caitlin Clark Foundation. This group helps young people and their communities through education, healthy food, and sports. The foundation helps places like the University of Iowa Children's Hospital and the Boys & Girls Clubs in Iowa. Many of Clark's sponsors also support her foundation.

In January 2025, for Clark's 23rd birthday, her foundation partnered with Scholastic. They planned to donate 22,000 books to schools in Iowa and Indiana. In March 2025, the foundation started a "Community Courts Initiative." They plan to build new sports courts at four middle schools in Des Moines. In March 2025, the foundation worked with Hy-Vee to raise money for childhood nutrition. In May 2025, the foundation donated over $300,000 to Feeding America. This donation is expected to provide about 3 million meals to people who need food.

In Popular Culture

In 2023, the Iowa State Fair showed a life-size butter sculpture of Clark. On February 22, 2024, the Iowa House of Representatives declared February 22 as "Caitlin Clark Day" in Iowa. This was to honor her jersey number.

In 2024, a signed trading card of Clark sold for $78,000. This was the most ever for a women's basketball card. Later that year, another card sold for $84,000. In February 2024, Clark became the top-selling college athlete on Fanatics, a sports merchandise website.

In 2024, Clark was on Forbes list of the World's 100 Most Powerful Women. She was the first basketball player to appear on this list in 20 years. She was also on Forbes 30 Under 30 list.

Filmography

See also

In Spanish: Caitlin Clark para niños

• List of career achievements by Caitlin Clark
• List of NCAA Division I basketball career triple-doubles leaders
• List of NCAA Division I women's basketball career scoring leaders
• List of NCAA Division I women's basketball career 3-point scoring leaders
• List of NCAA Division I women's basketball career assists leaders
• List of NCAA Division I women's basketball season scoring leaders
• List of NCAA Division I women's basketball season 3-point field goal leaders
• List of NCAA Division I women's basketball season assists leaders
• Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball statistical leaders
• List of WNBA regular season records