Caitlin Clark led the Iowa Hawkeyes to back-to-back National Championships, but they were never able to get the job done and hoist the trophy at the end of the season. She then went on just a few weeks later and was selected No. 1 overall by the Indiana Fever in the WNBA Draft.
A lot of people, including some big names in the WNBA, felt Clark wasn't going to be able to compete at a high level in the WNBA like she did in college.
Of course, Clark wasn't going to just step in and pick up where she left off in college in the WNBA; she is playing against tougher teams, tougher players, and, like any athlete drafting No. 1 overall, is usually going to the worst team in the league.
However, Clark clearly wasn't listening to the haters and just cared about going out there and playing basketball at the next level to the best of her ability. Now, it was a bit of a slow start to the season, especially with the Fever starting out 1-8, but Clark was able to get the team back on track and take the Fever to the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
Not only did Clark help lead the Fever to the playoffs, but she also broke numerous rookie records in the WNBA, a few regular WNBA records, and was named the unanimous AP Rookie of the Year.
With all the accolades under her belt, Clark was ready to try and take the Fever as far as she could, maybe even to the WNBA finals. However, the Fever ran into their kryptonite on the season, the Connecticut Sun, whom they were just 1-4 on in the regular season.
Clark struggled in game one against the Sun in the first round of playoffs, with just 11 points, four rebounds, and eight assists. However, she became the Clark we all know and love in game two with 25 points, six rebounds, and nine assists.
Unfortunately, it was not enough as the Fever fell to the Sun for the sixth time this year and was officially knocked out of playoffs.
Even though it wasn't the fairytale ending of Clark hoisting the trophy at the end of her rookie season, she did show all the haters that she wasn't listening to them and was just out there playing basketball. Clark also showed what was possible with a team that was one of the worst the last few seasons and had not made the playoffs in eight seasons.
Caitlin Clark had a great season and Iowa fans could not be more proud.