Caitlin Clark vs A’ja Wilson College Stats Comparison: Retiring Jerseys Together, Which WNBA Icon Had Better NCAA Career?

“There will never be another 22.” It’s a simple phrase but one that could easily be the epitaph for two of college basketball’s brightest stars, Caitlin Clark and A’ja Wilson. Both have left an Unerasable mark on the game, one that will forever be remembered as long as their no. 22 jerseys hang in the rafters of Iowa and South Carolina, respectively. But what’s more surprising is that these two legends don’t just share the same jersey number—they’re also having said jerseys retired on the exact same day. So, what else do they have in common? Let’s dive into the numbers and legacies of these two trailblazers.

For starters, A’ja Wilson didn’t just lead South Carolina to the 2017 NCAA championship—she became Coach Staley’s ace, one that helped her transform, South Carolina’s program into a powerhouse, which has since managed to bag a total of 3 NCAA championships.

This would also rightfully earn her the title of “program changer” from none other than Connecticut’s Geno Auriemma.

Meanwhile, Caitlin Clark, who has at times earned much of Geno’s chagrin like being told by him that  “She’s not built for the physicality of WNBA“, also had a similar path, she also managed to bring Iowa to their first finals appearance ever since the establishment of their program in 2023 and 2024.

However, unlike A’ja She wasn’t able to capture the NCAA title for the Hawkeyes. Two players, two eras, two almost identical journeys—but only one could claim the ultimate prize. But when you strip away the championships and the accolades, it’s the numbers that really tell the story.

Caitlin Clark: The sharpshooter with a record-breaking run

And in Clark’s case, they cement her as a generational talent who changed the game forever. hence, when she declared for the WNBA Draft after an unforgettable collegiate career at Iowa, fans knew that No. 22 would never be worn again.

Her numbers during her time in Iowa City are nothing short of jaw-dropping. Clark finished her college career with 3,951 points, making her the NCAA Division I all-time scoring leader for both men and women.

She beat both Kelsey Plum(3,527 points) and Pete Maravich(3,667 points) to achieve said record.

She also set the bar for three-pointers made in women’s basketball, drilling 548 shots from beyond the arc, which came off a whopping 1452 attempts (another record). The 548 three-point shots came with a 37.7% efficiency from beyond the arc, which is elite in college basketball.

Clark also racked up an assist tally of 1,144 ranking her as Iowa’s all-time leader in that category, showcasing her ability to not just score, but facilitate for her teammates.

“I’m forever proud to be a Hawkeye, and Iowa holds a special place in my heart that is bigger than just basketball,” Clark said. “It means the world to me to receive this honor and to celebrate it with my family, friends, and alumni.” Her jersey will be retired during a game against USC on February 2, 2025, where her story will come full circle.

During her illustrious career, according to ESPN Clark posted staggering averages of 28.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game, with an impressive shooting efficiency of 46.2%.

But her impact wasn’t just measured in numbers. For all her individual accolades, including being a unanimous First Team All-American every year and the first player to lead the NCAA in assists for multiple seasons (2022-24).

Clark’s legacy is defined by her fearless approach to the game—one that rewrote the rules for offensive freedom in women’s college basketball. Few coaches would ever greenlight the sheer volume of three-pointers she attempted, but her success proved it wasn’t just flashy—it was effective.

A’ja Wilson: A dominant force for South Carolina

A’ja Wilson on the other hand had a much more efficient career at South Carolina, one that culminated with an NCAA championship. She not only led her team to the 2017 NCAA title but also earned the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player honor that same year.

She was named Consensus National Player of the Year in 2018 and was an All-American in three consecutive years (2016-2018). Her stats, as well as her ability to impact games on both ends of the court, made her a constant presence in the conversation about the greatest to ever play in college.

Wilson averaged 17.3 points and 8.7 rebounds over her 138-game career, with her shooting efficiency at 55% from the field being a testament to her well-rounded skill set. And although she might not have had the freedom from the arc that Caitlin did, she did have a similar 3-point percentage of 37.5 % which came from 6, three-pointers made in from just 16 attempts, which stands in stark contrast to Caitlin’s, 1,452, attempts from beyond the arc.

Although she might not have had Caitlin’s freedom, Wilson had something far more deadlier, athleticism and height both of which allowed her to evolve into a defensive powerhouse, who averaged 2.6 blocks per game, providing a force in the paint for the Gamecocks.

This, also ensured that, in a game where size, strength, and skill are paramount, Wilson embodied all of those traits, making her one of the most feared players in the NCAA.

And this dominance that she earned for herself was visible in the multiple accolades that Wilson ended up achieving while helping South Carolina transform from a contender to a national powerhouse.

Accolades, like being named to the All-American First Team in 2016, 2017, and 2018, being a Naismith Player of the Year in 2017–2018, or being the SEC Player of the Year in 2015, 2016, and 2017, while also being the SEC Defensive player of the Year in 2016 and 2017.

Clark vs. Wilson: A tale of scoring, dominance, and no. 22

Let’s break down the numbers to understand just how close—or far—these two icons are in terms of their college careers:

• Caitlin Clark: 3,951 points, 990 rebounds, 1,144 assists, 548 three-pointers
• A’ja Wilson: 2389 points, 1,195 rebounds, 191 assists, 363 blocks

In terms of sheer scoring, Clark outpaces Wilson significantly, thanks in part to her remarkable three-point shooting and the freedom that she was afforded in her college career. Wilson, however, had the edge in both defense and overall rebounding, thanks to her height and athleticism which made her an incredibly versatile and complete player for South Carolina.

The debate over who had the better NCAA career comes down to what you prioritize in a player: if you’re drawn to a scoring machine who can light up the scoreboard from anywhere while facilitating good looks for her teammates Caitlin Clark is your pick.

But if you value a complete, dominant force who controls both ends of the court and leads her team to a championship, then A’ja Wilson takes the crown.Both players were undeniably incredible in their own rights, but for now, their legendary careers are tied together by that iconic No. 22, forever retiring in their honor on the same day.