Early Life & Background

 Full name: Caitlin Elizabeth Clark Biography+1

 Born: January 22, 2002 Wikipedia+2Biography+2

 Hometown: Des Moines, Iowa; raised in nearby West Des Moines Biography+2Encyclopedia
Britannica+2

 Family: Daughter of Brent Clark (executive in industrial equipment business) and Anne
Nizzi-Clark (marketing executive). She has two brothers, Blake and Colin. Biography

 From a young age, Caitlin was athletic and competitive, playing multiple sports (basketball,
soccer, tennis, softball, volleyball) before eventually focusing on basketball in middle school.
Biography+1

 She played travel ball with the All Iowa Attack, an elite youth program that produced many
collegiate players, which helped hone her basketball instincts and exposure. Biography

High School Career

 Caitlin attended Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines, Iowa.
Wikipedia+2Biography+2

 She was named a McDonald’s All-American in her senior year and rated among the top recruits
nationally by ESPN. Wikipedia+1

 Over her high school career, she scored more than 2,547 points, making her one of Iowa’s all-
time leading high school scorers. Encyclopedia Britannica+2Biography+2

 In her junior year, she famously scored 60 points in a single high school game. Encyclopedia
Britannica+1

College Career at Iowa (2020–2024)

Caitlin Clark chose to play college basketball at the University of Iowa, joining the Iowa Hawkeyes
women's team. Encyclopedia Britannica+2Wikipedia+2

Freshman Year (2020–21)

 She made an immediate impact, averaging ~26.6 points and 7.1 assists per game. Encyclopedia
Britannica+1

 Earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors. Encyclopedia Britannica

Sophomore & Junior Years

 In her sophomore season, she improved across the board: more scoring, more assists, more all-
around presence. Encyclopedia Britannica+1
  She led the nation in scoring and assists in multiple seasons. Wikipedia+2Biography+2

 In the 2023 NCAA Tournament semifinal, she posted a 41-point, 10-rebound, 12-assist
performance to send Iowa to the title game. Encyclopedia Britannica+1

 Iowa reached the NCAA championship game twice (2023 & 2024), though they fell short both
times. Biography+2Encyclopedia Britannica+2

Senior (Final) Year & Records

 In February 2024, Clark broke the NCAA Division I women’s scoring record (surpassing Kelsey
Plum) with a 49-point game against Michigan. Encyclopedia Britannica+2Biography+2

 She went on to surpass Pete Maravich’s men’s + women’s NCAA scoring mark, finishing her
collegiate career with 3,951 points. Encyclopedia Britannica+2Biography+2

 Over her college tenure, she also accumulated over 1,100 assists and nearly 1,000 rebounds.
Biography+1

 She won multiple major awards, including Naismith National Player of the Year (twice), Wooden
Award, Wade Trophy, AP Player of the Year, among others. Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2

Professional / WNBA Career

 In the 2024 WNBA Draft, Caitlin Clark was selected 1st overall by the Indiana Fever.
Wikipedia+2Encyclopedia Britannica+2

 She made her debut on May 14, 2024. Encyclopedia Britannica+2Wikipedia+2

 In her rookie season, she averaged ~19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 8.4 assists per game.
Encyclopedia Britannica+2Biography+2

 She set WNBA rookie records for most assists in a season (337), most points by a rookie (769),
and most three-pointers by a rookie (122). Biography+3Reuters+3Wikipedia+3

 She won WNBA Rookie of the Year (66 of 67 votes) and made All-WNBA First Team and WNBA
All-Star in her first year. Reuters+2Wikipedia+2

Off the Court / Cultural Impact & Other Activities

 Caitlin’s popularity brought huge attention to women’s basketball; her presence is often credited
with boosting TV viewership, game attendance, and media coverage — sometimes called the
“Caitlin Clark effect.” Wikipedia+1

 She produced and appeared in the ESPN+ documentary series Full Court Press, following her
senior season. Wikipedia

 She made a cameo on Saturday Night Live in April 2024 in a sketch addressing jokes about
women’s basketball. Wikipedia
  She starred in a Nike Super Bowl commercial in February 2025 — one of the highest-visibility
endorsements for a female athlete. Wikipedia

 Caitlin is active philanthropically via the Caitlin Clark Foundation, which supports youth through
education, sports, and nutrition. Among her initiatives, she has made book donations (e.g.,
22,000 children’s books) to schools and communities. Biography+3Reddit+3Reddit+3

Legacy & Recognition

 Her #22 jersey was retired by Iowa Hawkeyes. Wikipedia+1

 She has become a defining figure in modern women’s basketball, frequently mentioned among
the greatest in college history. AP News+1

 Her career continues to be closely watched not only for on-court performance but also for her
role in shaping the visibility, perception, and commercial potential of women’s sports.