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‘Truly generational:’ Iowa retires Caitlin Clark’s jersey following upset of No. 4 USC

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Caitlin Clark stood at midcourt with her family and smiled with little emotion as her black-and-gold No. 22 jersey soared to the rafters forever at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Tears and cheers rose came from those in attendance at the sold-out arena and from those who knew her best. Clark was a generational talent who set the NCAA basketball scoring record, but she always was more than just a player. Iowa sold out 37 of 39 games in her senior season, and the 23-year-old Clark became one of the world’s most recognizable faces.

“The positive image that you’ve brought to this basketball program, this university, this state, women’s basketball naturally, is unmeasurable,” retired Iowa women’s basketball coach Lisa Bluder said. “I’ve spent my entire career trying to empower young women. That’s what it’s all about. But you’ve done more of that in the last four years than anybody could imagine.”

“She’s truly generational,” said Iowa coach Jan Jensen, who was an assistant when Clark competed. “She changed the world.”

Amid the backdrop of a surprising 76-69 Iowa upset of No. 4 USC, it took almost 10 minutes to clear the floor of students who joined the Hawkeyes in a celebration. USC’s players and coaches decided to stay on their bench during the ceremony honoring Clark, which was something the Trojans had planned no matter what the outcome.

“We get to write our own story but are part of a synergy around women’s basketball that has in many ways, emanated from here,” USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb said. “So, obviously, congratulations to her. There’s nothing I can say that hasn’t been said, but the respect she’s shown us and the humanity she’s shown us, I’m definitely a fan.”

Clark was the two-time consensus player of the year, and she scored NCAA-record 3,951 points in four seasons at Iowa. Clark warned she could become long-winded following the game but spoke briefly. She thanked several of her former teammates, who traveled to Iowa City, and the fans, many of whom paid hundreds of dollars per ticket. She added that “I’m pretty lucky enough that I got to play here and play for Coach Bluder.”

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

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