The Hawkeyes have found a worthy heir for Caitlin Clark’s legacy. The ‘Iowa sensation’ successfully transitioned into the WNBA this year and exceeded expectations. But what about the team she left behind? Along with the Des Moines born, the Hawkeyes also find themselves without Kate Martin and Gabbie Marshall, the trio of leadership and senior stability. But at least for No. 22, new head coach Jan Jensen has a promising candidate in Lucy Olsen.

The transfer from Villanova, Olsen, was just behind Clark and JuJu Watkins in scoring in Division I women’s basketball last season. She was also the only Hawkeye alum after the Fever star, according to the former head coach Lisa Bluder to score high in preliminary discussions. So while she was the perfect choice for Iowa, she might feel some pressure stepping into such big shoes.

Speaking to Haley Jones on her podcast, Sometimes I Hoop, Olsen revealed if she had talked to the Indiana Fever star or the other graduates, “I’ve talked with Caitlin a little bit. She’s very nice.”

“She’s like, ‘Let me know if you need anything, I’m always here, I went through a lot, like I got you.'” While Kate Martin went to Las Vegas with the Aces, Gabbie Marshall retired from the sport altogether, choosing to continue her education. But given that everyone would be busy with their individual pursuits, Olsen also said, “But they were a little busy with their seasons, so I haven’t talked to them too much.”

However, as the host pointed out, the graduated students might come back to visit the team this season, especially to support Jan Jensen in her first year as head coach. The trio of Clark, Marshall, and Martin did recently visit their old campus to receive their Big Ten rings and might do it again sometime in the ongoing college basketball season.

Olsen, who led the team with 19 points in her debut yesterday, reminded fans of Caitlin Clark with her stat line of 4 rebounds, 7 assists, and a steal. The Pennsylvania native is a consistent midrange shooter and averaged 23.3 points shooting 43.8% from the field last season. She also recorded 4.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists with the Villanova Wildcats in the 2023-24 season.

But now in Iowa, what does she think of carrying on the legacy of one of the most famous names in the sport?

Lucy Olsen is not trying to be Caitlin Clark

No two athletes will ever be the same, no matter how similar their play style or position is. Lucy Olsen, who chose Iowa over other pursuers like LSU and Maryland for their family-like environment, knows this. When she visited the campus after transferring, the senior told the Des Moines Register, “There was something about the culture they’ve built (that) felt so like home. That’s what sold me.”

She watched the school’s star in action but knew that the 6-ft point guard would graduate and she might take her place. But Olsen also confidently said, “Caitlin Clark is Caitlin Clark. I’m not going to try to be her. But they need a point guard, and it’s a perfect opportunity to try to make something happen.”

In her last year of eligibility remaining in college, Lucy Olsen will make the most of the time she has left with a school that has reached the past two NCAA championship games. Although they didn’t win either of them with Caitlin Clark, might the Hawkeyes have a better chance with Olsen and other new faces in the team? Only time will tell.