Caitlin Clark Iowa Jersey Retirement: Date, Time, Where to Watch & More Details About the Ceremony

Imagine being the face of your program, absolutely killing it since your freshman year, carrying the weight of expectations into the pros, and then exceeding them all? Well, that’s Caitlin Clark for you. And to honor that legacy, the Iowa Hawkeyes had to do something special, something truly fitting for the greatest player in their program’s history.

“There will never be another 22.” That’s what Iowa wrote on their X (formerly Twitter) after their star player confirmed that she would be turning pro. What followed was a rookie season for the books. But before she made waves in the WNBA, CC had already cemented a legacy at Iowa that was nothing less than remarkable. She may not have snagged the ultimate championship, but what she did accomplish was enough to make her one of the best college athletes ever.

So, just three days after her emotional NCAA farewell, Iowa made it official: No. 22 would never be worn again. This was historic. Clark’s jersey would hang among the rafters alongside only two others in Iowa women’s basketball history—Megan Gustafson and Michelle Edwards. 

As Iowa proudly stated on X, “There will never be another Caitlin Clark, and there will never be another 22.” Fast forward to Iowa’s first game of the 2024-25 season, and a few eagle-eyed fans spotted something that sent social media into a frenzy. The no. 22 jersey appeared to already be hanging in the rafters. Naturally, fans lost their minds, calling for the official ceremony to happen sooner rather than later.

And then, Iowa delivered.

They dropped a hype video featuring Caitlin drilling one of her signature threes and announced the big day: February 2, 2025. The jersey retirement would take place during Iowa’s matchup against USC at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, with game tipoff set for 1:30 PM ET and national coverage on FOX.

For one last time, Carver-Hawkeye Arena will roar with chants of Caitlin Clark’s name. And honestly, that’s exactly what she deserves. Her collegiate career was legendary. The numbers speak for themselves. 

NCAA all-time leading scorer (3,951 points), all-time women’s basketball leader in three-pointers made (548), and Iowa’s all-time assists leader (1,144). Not to mention, she led Iowa to back-to-back national championship appearances in 2023 and 2024.

Clark shared just how much the honor means to her. “I’m forever proud to be a Hawkeye, and Iowa holds a special place in my heart that is bigger than just basketball,” she said. “It means the world to me to receive this honor and to celebrate it with my family, friends, and alumni. It will be a great feeling to look up in the rafters and see my jersey alongside those that I’ve admired for so long.”

Adding to the significance of the moment, the game against USC almost feels like a passing of the torch. The Indiana Fever star herself told USC’s JuJu Watkins at the 2024 Wooden Awards, “You’re going to have the spotlight for the next three years.” 

USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb confirmed as much, saying, “She was like, ‘I had this attention for a year and a half, two years,’ and she said to JuJu, ‘You’re going to have it for the next three.’” 

Watkins, already touching some of CC’s records in just her sophomore year, has often spoken about her admiration for the Iowa alumna, making this matchup all the more special.

And, obviously, with two superstars in the building, ticket prices are through the roof. Carver-Hawkeye Arena, which seats 14,998, is expected to be packed. Tickets for the game are available on StubHub, with prices ranging from $130 to a staggering $3,000. 

Those numbers could climb even higher as game day approaches.

Interestingly, Clark’s jersey retirement coincides with another monumental one—A’ja Wilson’s at South Carolina. Both players wore No. 22, and now, their iconic numbers will be forever enshrined in their respective programs. 

And the celebration has already started in Iowa. 

$88K donation makes Caitlin Clark’s jersey retirement even more special

For all the love Caitlin Clark has received, she’s always found a way to give it back. To celebrate her return to Iowa City for her jersey retirement, the Caitlin Clark Foundation is donating $22,000 each to four local Iowa organizations:

• The University of Iowa Children’s Hospital
• Coralville Community Food Pantry
• Boys and Girls Club of the Corridor
• Special Olympics Iowa – East Central

“One of my favorite things about Iowa City is the way the community is connected and how everyone supports each other,” the 2024 WNBA ROTY said in a news release. 

“It is something I felt during my time here, and it’s important to me that I stay connected with them. I am proud to be a part of each of these organizations’ efforts and the meaningful impact they provide for the people of Iowa,” she added.

Mary Coffin, President of the Caitlin Clark Foundation, echoed that sentiment. She emphasized that the foundation is thrilled to support these organizations because of their alignment with the foundation’s mission—uplifting youth through education, nutrition, and sports. 

Coffin also pointed out that Clark’s commitment to giving back is exactly why she has such an incredible impact, both on and off the court. Truly said. Even to celebrate her 23rd birthday on January 22, the Caitlin Clark Foundation donated 22,000 children’s books to kids in Iowa and Indiana in partnership with Scholastic.

Since its launch in October 2023, the nonprofit has worked with brands like Hy-Vee, Nike, and Gatorade—many of whom the WNBA star has endorsement deals with—to help kids in need by providing school supplies, winter clothes, and athletic gear.

And isn’t that exactly what makes Caitlin Clark the star she is today? Not just her game, but her heart. Seeing her No. 22 hanging in the rafters before she has even entered her second professional season must be an emotional moment for her. Plus, a flex. 

So, mark the date as February 2 is indeed going to be a night to remember!