Four years of work and two years of domination, Caitlin Clark indeed became the Iowa sensation. While she may not have won a National Championship ring with the Hawkeyes, her breaking over 42 records, including the DI all-time scoring record of Pete Maravich, and boosting NCAA WBB’s ratings in general are enough to call her one of the greatest college basketball players. In a few days’ time, she will have a jersey hanging in the rafters, and she recently described her feelings about the same.

“I think it is hard to probably feel all the emotions until I’m going to be inside of Carver and really see it and experience it with my family. I’m not usually a emotional person but I feel like this will probably make me more emotional.”

On February 2, 2025, the team will retire her No. 22 jersey, when the Hawkeyes face USC. Yes, the date 2/2 falls at the right time to make the event more special. She will join Megan Gustafson (10) and Michelle Edwards (30) as the only Iowa women’s basketball players to have their numbers retired.

“And usually, like, when we had certain things inside of Carver, I have been competing or playing shortly before something like that has happened.” She highlighted this during her interview with the 247Sports. “Now that I’m not actually playing, I feel like I’ll be more emotional even though I’m not a super emotional person. I’m very grateful…”

“Thankful to have played at a place that loves women’s basketball the way that it does. This helps me flourish and it will be exciting for me to go back and be inside Carver and you know I haven’t been there since I played my last game. It will be really special.”

In her last game at the Carver Arena, she dropped 32 points as No. 1 seed Iowa beat No. 8 West Virginia, 64-54 to advance to the Sweet 16. On that day over 15,000 fans were in attendance to see Caitlin Clark in action. And the ceremony will certainly be nothing short of special with the Hawkeye nation celebrating a generational talent like the Des Moines native.

Even this year, there was an outcry from fans as they couldn’t believe the prices set for the 23-year-old’s return to her stomping ground. The tickets for the same as per TickPick were starting from $711! Which made it the most expensive in women’s basketball history. After all, her impact was one of a kind.

Reaction towards Caitlin Clark’s honor

Last year in a 17-day span from Feb. 15 to March 3, Caitlin Clark went on a streak to break multiple records. First, she broke Kelsey Plum’s record to become the all-time women’s NCAA Division I scoring leader. Then she passed AIAW star Lynette Woodard for the major college scoring record.

The final and the most celebrated was when she overtook LSU’s Pete Maravich for most career points in Division I history for both men and women categories. No doubt the Iowa athletic director showed a lot of admiration for Clark.

“Caitlin Clark has not only redefined excellence on the court but has also inspired countless young athletes to pursue their dreams with passion and determination. Retiring her number is a testament to her extraordinary contributions and a celebration of her legacy that will continue to inspire future generations. Hawkeye fans are eager to say thank you for so many incredible moments.”

Even former coach Lisa Bluder shared the same during an interview with CBS Sports. “You want good role models in sports. You want good role models in television. I think our team was that. I think Caitlin was that. I’m just so glad that people are paying attention now and understanding the value of women’s sports.”

It’s very likely Bluder will be on the court to celebrate one of her finest pupils. Hence, we can understand why Caitlin Clark stated that the emotions will hit her when she is in that moment with her family and close friends.