Former Iowa star guard Lucy Olsen has had a whirlwind 2024-2025. She initially entered the transfer portal after the 2023-2024 season and committed to the Hawkeyes. Her commitment to the Hawkeyes was in flux after long-time Head Coach Lisa Bluder retired.
During the summer before the 2024-2025 season, Olsen announced she was honoring her commitment to the Hawkeyes. She had the tall task of replacing the GOAT, Caitlin Clark, but quickly endeared herself to her teammates and fans.
It took some time for Olsen to acclimate to her new team, but once she settled in, she became one of the best transfer signings nationwide. The Villanova transfer led the Hawkeyes in points (17.9) and assists (5.1) per game en route to becoming a unanimous All-Big Ten selection.
In her first and only season in Iowa City, she earned Big Ten Tournament First-Team and All-American Honorable Mention honors.
On April 14, the Washington Mystics selected Olsen with the No. 23 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft.
On Saturday, Olsen will play Clark in a highly anticipated WNBA preseason matchup.
Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever battle Lucy Olsen and the Washington Mystics in a preseason contest at noon Central Time at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. This will be the first-ever meeting between the former Iowa superstars.
After suffering a left leg injury during Friday's practice, Clark's status for Saturday's game is questionable.
If Clark can play, it would create a cool moment between the two former Iowa stars.
Clark is coming off a dominating 2024-2025 rookie campaign. After being selected No. 1 overall by the Indiana Fever, Clark set the WNBA on fire. Whether she was shooting logo threes or putting up a triple-double, Clark was must-see television.
She sold out arenas, shattered rookie records, and guided the Indiana Fever to their first postseason appearance since 2016. During the 2024-2025 season, Clark averaged 19.2 points, 8.4 assists, and 5.7 rebounds en route to winning the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year Award.
Clark turned around a dismal Fever franchise, and Olsen aims to have similar results in her first season with the Washington Mystics.