History of Caitlin Clark in Timeline
Caitlin Clark is an American professional basketball player who was drafted first overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA draft. Before joining the WNBA, Clark played college basketball for the Iowa Hawkeyes where she earned national recognition and is considered one of the greatest college players ever. Her accolades include becoming the NCAA Division I all-time women's leading scorer and earning the national player of the year award twice.
1993: Iowa's First Final Four Appearance Since 1993
Caitlin Clark led Iowa to their first Final Four appearance since 1993, achieving a historic milestone for the program.
1996: Abby Roe sets highschool scoring record
In 1996, Abby Roe set the single-game point total record in Iowa five-on-five girls' basketball history.
1999: Clark's Viewership Records
Clark's final regular season game, where she broke Maravich's scoring record, was the most watched regular season women's basketball game since 1999.
January 22, 2002: Caitlin Clark was born
Caitlin Clark was born on January 22, 2002.
2015: Samantha Logic records a triple double
In 2015, Samantha Logic registered the first triple-double by an Iowa player since 2015.
2017: Clark Wins Gold at FIBA Under-16 Women's Americas Championship
In 2017, Caitlin Clark represented the United States at the FIBA Under-16 Women's Americas Championship in Argentina, helping her team win the gold medal.
February 4, 2019: Caitlin Clark Scores 60 points in a highschool game
On February 4, 2019, Caitlin Clark scored 60 points in a 90–78 win against Mason City High School. This was the second-highest single-game point total in Iowa five-on-five girls' basketball history.
November 12, 2019: Caitlin Clark commits to University of Iowa
On November 12, 2019, Caitlin Clark announced her commitment to play college basketball for Iowa.
2019: Clark Wins Gold at FIBA Under-19 Women's Basketball World Cup
In 2019, Caitlin Clark played for the United States at the FIBA Under-19 Women's Basketball World Cup in Thailand, winning another gold medal.
2019: National Championship Game Sets Viewership Record
The 2024 NCAA women's basketball championship game, featuring Clark, became the most-watched basketball game at any level since 2019, and it was the first time a women's final had more viewers than the men's.
November 25, 2020: Caitlin Clark makes her college debut
On November 25, 2020, Caitlin Clark made her collegiate debut, recording 27 points, eight rebounds, and four assists in a 96–81 win over Northern Iowa.
2020: Caitlin Clark ranked as number one highschool player by ESPN
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 Impacts College Athletics
During the 2020-2021 season, all college athletes were granted an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020: Formation of "The Law Firm"
In 2020, Caitlin Clark and her Iowa teammate, Monika Czinano, were collectively dubbed "The Law Firm" by analyst Christy Winters-Scott, reflecting their dominant partnership on the court.
January 6, 2021: Caitlin Clark has a standout game against Minnesota
On January 6, 2021, Caitlin Clark recorded 37 points, 11 rebounds and four assists in a 92–79 win against Minnesota.
August 18, 2021: First NIL Deal with The Vinyl Studio
Caitlin Clark signed her first NIL deal with The Vinyl Studio, a company based in West Des Moines, Iowa, on August 18, 2021.
November 9, 2021: Caitlin Clark begins her Sophomore Season
Caitlin Clark made her sophomore season debut on November 9, 2021, recording 26 points, eight rebounds and six assists in a 93–50 win over New Hampshire.
2021: Caitlin Clark wins MVP at FIBA Under-19 Women's World Cup
In 2021, Caitlin Clark was named Most Valuable Player at the FIBA Under-19 Women's World Cup.
2021: Clark Leads US to Gold and Wins MVP at FIBA Under-19 Women's Basketball World Cup
In 2021, Caitlin Clark led the United States to a gold medal at the FIBA Under-19 Women's Basketball World Cup in Hungary. She was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
January 2, 2022: Caitlin Clark scores 44 points against Evansville
On January 2, 2022, Caitlin Clark posted 44 points and eight assists in a 93–56 win over Evansville.
January 16, 2022: Caitlin Clark records her fourth 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: Caitlin Clark leads Iowa to the Big Ten tournament title
On March 5, 2022, Caitlin Clark recorded 41 points and nine rebounds in an 83–66 win over Nebraska in the semifinals of the Big Ten tournament. She led Iowa to the title and was named the tournament's most outstanding player.
June 18, 2022: First Pitch for the Iowa Cubs
On June 18, 2022, Caitlin Clark, a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, threw out the first pitch for their Triple-A affiliate, the Iowa Cubs.
October 10, 2022: Signed with Nike
Caitlin Clark signed an endorsement deal with Nike on October 10, 2022, often sporting shoes from their Kobe Bryant signature line.
November 18, 2022: Ankle Injury in Loss to Kansas State
On November 18, 2022, Caitlin Clark suffered an ankle injury in the final seconds of Iowa's 84-83 loss to Kansas State. Despite the injury, she had an impressive performance with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists.
2022: Release of the 2022 Trading Card
In 2022, Caitlin Clark's trading card was released, which would go on to break records in January 2024.
January 23, 2023: Victory Over Undefeated Ohio State
Caitlin Clark led Iowa to an 83-72 victory over the then-undefeated and No. 2 ranked Ohio State on January 23, 2023. Clark had a remarkable performance, recording 28 points, 15 assists, and 10 rebounds.
July 2023: Participation in John Deere Classic Pro-Am
In July 2023, Caitlin Clark, an avid golfer since childhood, participated in the John Deere Classic Pro-Am at TPC Deere Run, playing alongside professional golfers Zach Johnson and Ludvig Åberg.
August 2023: Life-Size Butter Sculpture at the Iowa State Fair
In August 2023, the Iowa State Fair unveiled a life-size butter sculpture of Caitlin Clark, showcasing her alongside former Iowa football players Kurt Warner and Jack Trice, highlighting their impact on Iowa sports.
October 10, 2023: Became a Spokesperson for State Farm
On October 10, 2023, Caitlin Clark became the first college athlete to sign an endorsement deal with State Farm, serving as their spokesperson.
October 15, 2023: Triple-Double in Crossover at Kinnick
On October 15, 2023, Caitlin Clark achieved a triple-double with 34 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in an exhibition game against DePaul at Kinnick Stadium. This game set a new attendance record for women's basketball with 55,646 spectators.
November 20, 2023: Appearance on ManningCast
On November 20, 2023, Caitlin Clark became the first college athlete to appear on the ManningCast for a Monday Night Football game featuring the Kansas City Chiefs, of whom she is a lifelong fan.
December 6, 2023: Reaching 3,000 Career Points Milestone
Caitlin Clark achieved a significant milestone on December 6, 2023, becoming the 15th Division I player to reach 3,000 career points. She reached this milestone in a game against Iowa State, where she also contributed 9 rebounds and 5 assists.
2023: Awarded Division I Women's Basketball Academic All-American of the Year
In 2023, Caitlin Clark was honored as the Division I Women's Basketball Academic All-American of the Year by the College Sports Communicators (CSC).
2023: End of "The Law Firm" Era
The "Law Firm" partnership between Caitlin Clark and Monika Czinano ended in 2023, marking the conclusion of their successful run together at Iowa.
2023: Start of Filming for "Full Court Press"
Filming for the docuseries "Full Court Press" commenced in 2023, documenting the lives and careers of Caitlin Clark, Kamilla Cardoso, and Kiki Rice throughout their respective seasons.
2023: Clark's Impact on Women's Basketball Popularity
Caitlin Clark is recognized for her significant contribution to the rise in popularity of women's basketball, often referred to as the "Caitlin Clark effect", leading to increased attendance and viewership, particularly during the 2023 NCAA tournament.
2023: Rematch Against LSU in the Elite Eight
In 2023, Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes faced LSU in the Elite Eight, a rematch of the national championship game. Clark had an impressive performance with 41 points, 12 assists, and seven rebounds, leading the Hawkeyes to victory.
January 2, 2024: Game-Winning Buzzer-Beater Against Michigan State
On January 2, 2024, Caitlin Clark made a game-winning three-pointer as time expired, leading Iowa to a thrilling 76-73 victory over Michigan State. She scored an impressive 40 points in the game.
January 2024: Media Attention During Iowa Republican Presidential Caucuses
Caitlin Clark garnered media attention in January 2024 when presidential candidate Nikki Haley mistakenly called her "Caitlin Collins" before a Hawkeyes game, sparking humorous reactions and discussions around the incident.
January 2024: Launch of "Caitlin's Crunch Time" Cereal
In January 2024, Hy-Vee, an Iowa-based supermarket chain, launched a cereal called "Caitlin's Crunch Time" at select stores, with proceeds going to the Caitlin Clark Foundation.
January 25, 2024: Record-Breaking Trading Card Sale
On January 25, 2024, an autographed 2022 trading card of Caitlin Clark sold for a record-breaking $78,000, marking the highest price ever paid for a women's basketball card and showcasing her immense popularity and value.
January 31, 2024: Clark Breaks Big Ten All-Time Scoring Record
On January 31, 2024, Caitlin Clark scored 35 points and 10 assists in a game against Northwestern, breaking the Big Ten's all-time scoring record previously held by Kelsey Mitchell.
February 2024: Top-Selling College Athlete on Fanatics
In February 2024, Caitlin Clark achieved the distinction of being the top-selling college athlete on Fanatics, surpassing Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders, cementing her status as a highly sought-after athlete in merchandise sales.
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, honoring her accomplishments and contributions to basketball.
February 29, 2024: Clark Declares for WNBA Draft
On February 29, 2024, Caitlin Clark announced she would enter the 2024 WNBA draft, forgoing her remaining college eligibility.
March 2024: Announcement of ESPN+ Docuseries "Full Court Press"
ESPN+ announced in March 2024 that an original docuseries titled "Full Court Press", executive-produced by Caitlin Clark, would premiere in May 2024, offering an inside look into her senior season and the journeys of other prominent college players.
March 2024: Clark Invited to US Olympic Team Training Camp
In March 2024, Caitlin Clark was invited to the final training camp for the US Olympic team but was unable to attend due to her participation in the NCAA Final Four.
April 13, 2024: Appearance on Saturday Night Live
Caitlin Clark appeared on the April 13, 2024, episode of Saturday Night Live, using her platform to address past sexist jokes about women's basketball and highlight the accomplishments of prominent female athletes.
April 15, 2024: Clark Selected First Overall in WNBA Draft
On April 15, 2024, Caitlin Clark was selected first overall by the Indiana Fever in the WNBA Draft.
May 2024: Graduation from the University of Iowa
Caitlin Clark graduated from the University of Iowa in May 2024 with a degree in marketing and an impressive GPA of 3.64.
May 2024: Premiere of "Full Court Press"
The docuseries "Full Court Press", following the 2023-24 season of Caitlin Clark, Kamilla Cardoso, and Kiki Rice, premiered in May 2024, capturing their journeys both on and off the court.
2024: Caitlin Clark was drafted into the WNBA
In 2024, Caitlin Clark was selected first overall by the Indiana Fever in the WNBA draft.
2024: Clark Achieves Numerous Milestones in 2024 Big Ten and NCAA Tournaments
During the 2024 Big Ten and NCAA tournaments, Clark achieved several milestones including surpassing Stephen Curry for most three-pointers in a single season, becoming the first Division I women's player to score 1,000 points in two seasons, surpassing Kelsey Plum for most points in a single season in Division I women's history, leading Iowa to their second straight Final Four appearance, and breaking NCAA tournament career records in assists and three-pointers.
2024: Clark's Continued Impact on Women's Basketball Popularity
During her senior year, Clark's impact continued to be felt as Iowa sold out all their home games, setting attendance records for women's basketball, and the Big Ten tournament also sold out for the first time.
2024: Clark's Final NCAA Tournament Games Break Viewership Records
Caitlin Clark's final three NCAA tournament games in 2024 each broke viewership records for women's college basketball.