'Truly generational:' Iowa retires Caitlin Clark's jersey following upset of No. 4 USC

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Caitlin Clark stood at midcourt with her family as her black-and-gold No. 22 jersey was permanently raised to the rafters of Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The moment was emotionally charged, with tears and cheers erupting from the packed crowd and her closest supporters. A generational talent, Clark set the NCAA basketball scoring record and became a symbol of excellence in women's sports, drawing large crowds throughout her senior season.

Retired Iowa women's basketball coach Lisa Bluder praised Clark's significant impact, stating, "The positive image that you've brought to this basketball program, this university, this state, women's basketball naturally, is unmeasurable." Bluder, who dedicated her career to empowering young women, highlighted that Clark's influence has far exceeded expectations. Iowa coach Jan Jensen, who witnessed Clark's rise from her tenure as an assistant coach, called her "truly generational," noting that she has changed the landscape of women's basketball.

The ceremony unfolded against the backdrop of an unexpected 76-69 victory for Iowa over No. 4 USC, as jubilant students joined in the celebration on the court. The USC players and coaches chose to remain seated on their bench during the festivities, a pre-planned decision regardless of the game’s result. USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb acknowledged Clark’s impact on women's basketball, expressing admiration for her respect and humanity throughout their interactions.

During the event, Clark reflected on her career, having scored an NCAA-record 3,951 points over four years at Iowa. Despite her initial intention to keep her remarks brief, she expressed gratitude to her former teammates who supported her and the fans who invested significantly to attend the game. She acknowledged the profound privilege of playing at Iowa and under Coach Bluder's guidance.

As she concluded her speech, Clark’s legacy as a transformative figure in women's basketball was unmistakable. Her jersey hanging in the rafters serves as a lasting reminder of her outstanding contributions to the sport and the inspiration she has provided to future generations of athletes.