History of Caitlin Clark in Timeline

Caitlin Clark is a prominent American professional basketball player currently playing for the Indiana Fever in the WNBA. Widely recognized as one of the greatest female college players, she achieved remarkable success at the University of Iowa, earning the national female college basketball player of the year award twice and becoming the NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer. Her impact extends beyond statistics, as she is credited with significantly increasing the popularity of women's basketball, a phenomenon known as the 'Caitlin Clark effect'.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1993: Iowa Reaches Final Four

In 1993, Iowa reached its first Final Four since 1993, marking a significant milestone for the program.

1996: Abby Roe's record

In 1996 Abby Roe scored the highest single-game point total in Iowa five-on-five girls' basketball history. Caitlin Clark's 60 point game on February 4, 2019 was second to this.

1999: Fastest Division I women's player to reach 2,000 career points since 1999

On December 21, 2022, in her 75th game, Caitlin Clark tied Elena Delle Donne of Delaware as the fastest Division I women's player to reach 2,000 career points since the 1999–2000 season.

2000: Fastest Division I women's player to reach 2,000 career points since 1999

On December 21, 2022, in her 75th game, Caitlin Clark tied Elena Delle Donne of Delaware as the fastest Division I women's player to reach 2,000 career points since the 1999–2000 season.

January 22, 2002: Caitlin Clark's Birth

On January 22, 2002, Caitlin Elizabeth Clark was born. She would later become a celebrated basketball player in the WNBA.

Others born on this day/year

2015: Last triple-double

Prior to Caitlin Clark's performance on December 22, 2020, the last triple-double by an Iowa player was in 2015 by Samantha Logic.

2018: Nike Elite Youth Basketball League Championship

In the summer of 2018, Caitlin Clark led the All Iowa Attack to win the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League championship, scoring 23 points in a 64–61 victory over the Cal Storm in the final.

February 4, 2019: 60 point game against Mason City High School

On February 4, 2019, during her junior season, Clark scored 60 points in a 90–78 win against Mason City High School, which was the second-highest single-game point total in Iowa five-on-five girls' basketball history. She also set the state single-game record with 13 three-pointers.

November 12, 2019: Commitment to Iowa

On November 12, 2019, Caitlin Clark announced her commitment to play college basketball for the University of Iowa, choosing Iowa over offers from Iowa State and Notre Dame.

November 25, 2020: Collegiate Debut

On November 25, 2020, Caitlin Clark made her collegiate debut for Iowa, recording 27 points, eight rebounds, and four assists in a 96–81 win over Northern Iowa.

2020: Ranked number one player

By her sophomore season at Dowling Catholic, in 2020, Caitlin Clark was ranked the number one player in the 2020 high school class by ESPN.

2020: COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Eligibility

In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all players were granted an additional year of eligibility, which Clark ultimately forwent to enter the 2024 WNBA draft.

January 6, 2021: 37 points against Minnesota

On January 6, 2021, Caitlin Clark recorded 37 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists in a 92–79 win against Minnesota.

November 9, 2021: Sophomore Season Debut

On November 9, 2021, Caitlin Clark made her sophomore season debut, recording 26 points, eight rebounds, and six assists in a 93–50 win over New Hampshire.

2021: MVP at FIBA Under-19 Women's World Cup

In 2021, Caitlin Clark won a gold medal with the United States at the FIBA Under-19 Women's World Cup and was named the Most Valuable Player.

January 2, 2022: 44 points against Evansville

On January 2, 2022, Caitlin Clark posted 44 points and eight assists in a 93–56 win over Evansville. She broke the Carver–Hawkeye Arena women's single-game scoring record and surpassed Kelsey Mitchell of Ohio State as the fastest Big Ten player to reach 1,000 career points.

January 16, 2022: Fourth Career Triple-Double

On January 16, 2022, Caitlin Clark recorded her fourth career triple-double, with 31 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 93–83 victory over Nebraska.

March 5, 2022: Big Ten Tournament Semifinals

On March 5, 2022, in the semifinals of the Big Ten tournament, Clark recorded 41 points and nine rebounds in an 83–66 win over Nebraska. She led Iowa to the title and was named the tournament's most outstanding player (MOP).

March 2022: Partnership with Coralville Community Food Pantry

In March 2022, Clark partnered with the Coralville Community Food Pantry in Coralville, Iowa, for a donation push called "Team Up Against Hunger", encouraging $22 donations and raising over $23,000 in the first year.

November 18, 2022: Ankle Injury vs. Kansas State

On November 18, 2022, Caitlin Clark suffered an ankle injury with 3.8 seconds left in an 84–83 loss to Kansas State, despite recording 27 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists.

January 23, 2023: Win over Ohio State

On January 23, 2023, Caitlin Clark recorded 28 points, 15 assists, and 10 rebounds in an 83–72 win over AP No. 2 Ohio State, who were previously unbeaten.

October 15, 2023: Caitlin Clark plays in Crossover at Kinnick

On October 15, 2023, Caitlin Clark played in Crossover at Kinnick, a preseason exhibition game against DePaul at Kinnick Stadium. She achieved a triple-double with 34 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 94–72 victory. The game set a women's basketball record with an attendance of 55,646.

October 2023: Forms the Caitlin Clark Foundation

In October 2023, Caitlin Clark formed the Caitlin Clark Foundation, a nonprofit organization with a mission to uplift and improve the lives of youth through education, nutrition, and sport.

December 6, 2023: Caitlin Clark Reaches 3,000 Career Points

On December 6, 2023, Caitlin Clark became the 15th Division I player to reach 3,000 career points, achieving this milestone in a 67–58 victory over Iowa State with 35 points, nine rebounds, and five assists.

2023: Clark Contributes to Record-Breaking Viewership

In 2023, Caitlin Clark helped the national championship game become the most-viewed women's college basketball game in history (9.9 million), and her team set the women's basketball attendance record (55,646) in a preseason exhibition game, marking her significant influence on the sport's popularity.

2023: Iowa Advances to National Championship Game

In 2023, Caitlin Clark led Iowa to the national championship game, marking a significant milestone in her career.

2023: Clark Signs NIL Deals and Becomes State Farm Spokesperson

In 2023, Caitlin Clark signed with Excel Sports Management and secured numerous name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals, including becoming the first college athlete to be a spokesperson for State Farm, appearing in national television commercials.

2023: Caitlin Clark Wins National Player of the Year Awards

In 2023, Caitlin Clark won all major national player of the year awards, including AP Player of the Year, Honda Sports Award, John R. Wooden Award, Naismith College Player of the Year, USBWA National Player of the Year, and the Wade Trophy. She was also named the unanimous national player of the year in Big Ten history and won the Nancy Lieberman Award for a second time, becoming the first three-time winner of the Dawn Staley Award. She was honored as the 2023 Division I Women's Basketball Academic All-American of the Year before winning the same award for all Division I sports.

2023: Clark Participates in John Deere Classic Pro-Am

In 2023, Caitlin Clark, an avid golfer since childhood, played in the John Deere Classic Pro-Am alongside professional golfers Zach Johnson and Ludvig Åberg, showcasing her skills in another sport.

2023: Butter Sculpture at Iowa State Fair

In 2023, a life-size butter sculpture of Caitlin Clark was displayed at the Iowa State Fair.

January 2, 2024: Game-Winning Shot Against Michigan State

On January 2, 2024, Caitlin Clark scored 40 points, including a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer, leading Iowa to a 76–73 victory over Michigan State.

January 31, 2024: Caitlin Clark Breaks Big Ten All-Time Scoring Record

On January 31, 2024, Caitlin Clark surpassed Kelsey Mitchell of Ohio State to become the Big Ten's all-time leading scorer, achieving this milestone with 35 points and 10 assists in a 110–74 win over Northwestern.

February 2024: Top-Selling College Athlete on Fanatics

In February 2024, Caitlin Clark became the top-selling college athlete on the online sports merchandise retailer Fanatics, surpassing Shedeur Sanders.

February 22, 2024: "Caitlin Clark Day" in Iowa

On February 22, 2024, the Iowa House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution declaring February 22 as "Caitlin Clark Day" in the state.

February 29, 2024: Caitlin Clark Declares for WNBA Draft

On February 29, 2024, Caitlin Clark announced her decision to declare for the 2024 WNBA draft, forgoing her fifth season of eligibility. She was projected to be the first overall pick.

March 2024: Partnership with Panini and Sponsorship with Gainbridge

In March 2024, Caitlin Clark became the first female athlete to have an exclusive partnership with Panini, a trading card company. In the same month, she signed a multiyear sponsorship with Gainbridge, a financial platform, becoming a brand ambassador alongside Billie Jean King and Annika Sörenstam.

March 2024: Clark Invited to USA National Team Training Camp

In March 2024, Caitlin Clark received an invitation to the final training camp for the 2024 Summer Olympics from the United States national team; she was the only college player invited but could not attend due to the NCAA tournament. Ultimately, she was not named to the final roster.

April 15, 2024: Clark Selected First Overall in WNBA Draft

On April 15, 2024, Caitlin Clark was selected as the first overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft by the Indiana Fever, marking a significant milestone in her career.

April 2024: Appearance on Saturday Night Live

In April 2024, Clark made a cameo appearance on Saturday Night Live, criticizing Michael Che's jokes about women's basketball and writing new jokes for him.

April 2024: Pending Nike Contract

In April 2024, after being drafted, reports from The Wall Street Journal and The Athletic indicated a pending eight-year, $28 million contract between Clark and Nike, including a signature shoe deal.

May 2024: Clark Graduates from the University of Iowa

In May 2024, Caitlin Clark graduated from the University of Iowa with a major in marketing, marking the culmination of her academic pursuits alongside her basketball career.

May 2024: Executive Producer on Full Court Press Docuseries

In May 2024, Clark served as an executive producer on the ESPN+ docuseries Full Court Press, which followed three women's college basketball players during the 2023–24 season.

May 2024: Deal with Wilson Sporting Goods

In May 2024, Clark signed a multi-year deal with Wilson Sporting Goods and became the first athlete since Michael Jordan to release signature Wilson basketball collections.

June 7, 2024: Clark Scores 30 Points and Ties Rookie Record

On June 7, 2024, Caitlin Clark scored 30 points and tied Crystal Robinson's rookie single-game record with seven three-pointers, contributing to her team's win over the Washington Mystics.

June 2024: Caitlin Clark Nominated for Three ESPY Awards

In June 2024, Caitlin Clark was nominated for three ESPY Awards, recognizing her outstanding achievements in college athletics.

July 11, 2024: Caitlin Clark Wins Two ESPY Awards

On July 11, 2024, at the 2024 ESPY Awards, Caitlin Clark won the Best Female College Athlete ESPY Award for a second time and became the first female athlete to win the Best Record-Breaking Performance ESPY Award.

August 18, 2024: Clark Sets New WNBA Rookie Assist Record

On August 18, 2024, Caitlin Clark achieved a new WNBA rookie assist record, surpassing the previous record of 225 assists held by Ticha Penicheiro since 1998, during a game against the Seattle Storm.

November 2024: Joins NWSL Ownership Group

In November 2024, Caitlin Clark joined the ownership group intending to bring an expansion National Women's Soccer League team to Cincinnati.

December 2024: Clark Named Athlete of the Year

In December 2024, Caitlin Clark was honored as Athlete of the Year by Time magazine and Female Athlete of the Year by the AP, acknowledging her outstanding achievements and impact.

2024: Continued Fundraising for Coralville Community Food Pantry

As of 2024, Caitlin Clark has helped raise over $100,000 for Coralville Community Food Pantry, and the nonprofit continues to frequently receive $22 donations.

2024: Clark's Impact on Women's Basketball Viewership

In 2024, Caitlin Clark continued to drive historic attendance and viewership in her first WNBA season with the Indiana Fever. The Fever set a franchise single-season attendance record, and their regular season finale set the league attendance record (20,711).

2024: Clark Leads Iowa to Big Ten Tournament Title and NCAA Tournament

In 2024, Caitlin Clark surpassed Stephen Curry for the most three-pointers in a single season by any Division I player. She also led Iowa to its third straight Big Ten tournament title, was named MOP, and guided the team to the NCAA tournament, ultimately reaching the national championship game for the second consecutive season.

2024: Inclusion in Forbes Lists

In 2024, Caitlin Clark was included in the World's 100 Most Powerful Women list by Forbes, becoming the first basketball player and the second athlete in 20 years to appear on the list. She was also included in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list and the Sports Illustrated Power List.

2024: Drafted into WNBA

In 2024, Caitlin Clark was selected first overall by the Indiana Fever in the WNBA draft. During her first season, she won the WNBA Rookie of the Year award, made the All-WNBA First Team and WNBA All-Star Game. She set league single-season and single-game records in assists, broke the rookie scoring record, and became the first rookie to achieve a triple-double.

January 2025: Partnership with Scholastic and United States of Readers

In January 2025 on Clark's 23rd birthday, the Caitlin Clark Foundation teamed up with Scholastic and their national literacy program, United States of Readers, announcing plans to donate 22,000 books to schools in Iowa and Indiana.

February 2, 2025: Caitlin Clark's No. 22 jersey retired by the University of Iowa

On February 2, 2025, after the Hawkeyes' victory over No. 4 USC, Caitlin Clark's No. 22 jersey was retired by the University of Iowa, making her the third player in the program's history to receive this honor.

February 9, 2025: Appears in Nike Super Bowl Commercial

On February 9, 2025, Caitlin Clark appeared in a 90-second Nike commercial in the Super Bowl featuring some of the world's top female athletes.

March 2025: Community Courts Initiative

In March 2025, the Caitlin Clark Foundation introduced the Community Courts Initiative in partnership with Musco, planning to install multipurpose recreation courts in Des Moines Public Schools.

April 2025: Hy-Vee Releases Limited-Edition Gatorade Bottle Featuring Clark

In April 2025, Hy-Vee released a limited-edition Cool Blue Gatorade bottle featuring Caitlin Clark, which was sold exclusively at Hy-Vee stores, highlighting her marketability and partnerships.

May 2025: Donation to Feeding America

In May 2025, the Caitlin Clark Foundation presented a $300,802 donation to Feeding America at the Food Bank of Iowa, estimated to provide about 3 million meals to food insecure communities.

May 17, 2025: Clark Records Third Career Triple-Double

On May 17, 2025, Caitlin Clark started her second WNBA year impressively, achieving her third career triple-double with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in a victory against the Chicago Sky.

May 26, 2025: Clark sidelined with strained left quadriceps

On May 26, 2025, it was announced that Caitlin Clark had strained her left quadriceps and would be sidelined for a minimum of two weeks, taking her out of the game for a period of recovery.

June 2025: Clark Nominated for ESPY Awards

In June 2025, Caitlin Clark received nominations for two ESPY Awards, one for Best Record-Breaking Performance (for breaking the WNBA single-game assists and single-season assists records) and the other for Best WNBA Player, recognizing her exceptional achievements.

June 2025: Debut and Release of Nike Kobe 5 Protro "Indiana Fever" Shoes

In June 2025, Clark's "Indiana Fever" PEs sold out immediately upon release on June 30. In June 2025, Clark debuted another PE with Nike, a Kobe 6 Protro called "The Bellas," in honor of Clark's family dog.

June 26, 2025: Clark to Miss Game Due to Groin Injury

On June 26, 2025, the Fever announced that Caitlin Clark would be absent from that day's home game against the Los Angeles Sparks because of a left groin injury, making it her sixth absence of the season. This raised concerns about her physical condition and availability.