It was never a question of if Iowa would one day immortalize Caitlin Clark in its storied women’s basketball history, only a matter of when. The Hawkeyes made their intentions clear as soon as Clark’s collegiate career came to an end, and now the program has officially revealed when her iconic No. 22 jersey will ascend into the Carver-Hawkeye Arena rafters.
Iowa women’s basketball announced on Wednesday morning that it will retire Clark’s jersey on February 2, 2025, a date carefully chosen to pay tribute to the transcendent guard who changed the face of Hawkeye hoops and captivated the nation.
The ceremony will coincide with Iowa’s “Black Out” game against USC, an event set to be broadcast nationally on FOX. The timing makes perfect sense, given the significance of the date—2/2 neatly aligns with Clark’s No. 22 jersey number.
“To the rafters. 2.2.25 @CaitlinClark22 x #Hawkeyes,” read the official Iowa basketball tweet announcing the honor, succinctly capturing a moment Hawkeye fans have eagerly anticipated.
Several factors make February 2 an ideal time for this celebration. For one, the national television stage ensures that basketball enthusiasts around the country can once again witness Clark’s impact, even in absentia.
Additionally, the high-profile matchup against USC introduces a serendipitous storyline: Trojan guard JuJu Watkins, a rising star often compared to Clark, will be in the building.
In a recent Fox Sports video, Watkins praised Clark for being “a great player” and “a good person as well,” reinforcing the legacy of respect and admiration Clark left on the game.
During her four-year tenure at Iowa, Clark’s accomplishments were nothing short of historic. A dynamic scorer, an elite playmaker, and a fearless leader, she led the Hawkeyes to consecutive national championship game appearances, breaking records and redefining expectations for women’s college basketball along the way.
Her electric brand of basketball drew sold-out crowds to Carver-Hawkeye Arena and propelled the women’s game into a brighter spotlight. Even after her graduation, she has frequently returned to support her former teammates, seen cheering them on from the stands, displaying the same loyalty and passion that endeared her to the Iowa community in the first place.
“There will never be another @CaitlinClark22 & there will never be another 2??2??,” Iowa women’s hoops proclaimed back in April. Indeed, it’s hard to overstate Clark’s impact both on and off the court. After concluding her collegiate career, Clark was selected first overall in the WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever. She wasted no time establishing herself at the professional level, earning the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year Award.
Most recently, she was recognized by TIME Magazine as its Athlete of the Year, an accolade that speaks to her influence beyond basketball. Clark has repeatedly expressed a desire to leverage her platform to inspire young athletes and enact positive change.
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“Personally, I’m just scratching the surface of what I can do and hopefully how I can change the world and impact people,” Clark said. “There have been so many people, not just in women’s sports, but from all walks of life, who say, ‘Thank you for what you do for women.’ I’ve heard that a million times.”
On February 2, Iowa fans will have the opportunity to express their gratitude to Clark, acknowledging all she did to elevate the program and champion women’s basketball. As her jersey rises into the rafters, it will serve as a permanent reminder of her brilliance: the unforgettable shots, the record-breaking performances, the unyielding competitiveness, and the tremendous heart that fueled every step of her journey.
For Hawkeye faithful—and for anyone who cherishes the transformative power of sport—that ceremony will be more than a farewell.
It will be a celebration of a legacy that’s still taking shape, a moment to honor Caitlin Clark’s past, and to anticipate all the ways she will continue inspiring future generations.
