Caitlin Clark is a force of nature. She is the best player in women’s college basketball and the engine that drives the Iowa Hawkeyes to their first-ever national championship game on Sunday. She has put on a show in the NCAA Tournament, averaging 27.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 8.6 assists. She has broken records and made history with her 40-point triple-double and her consecutive 40-point outings.
But Clark is not ready for the WNBA yet. She is not eligible for the 2023 WNBA Draft that will happen on April 15. She will have to wait another year before she can showcase her skills and talent in the professional league and play alongside other stars like Sabrina Ionescu, A’ja Wilson, and Breanna Stewart.
The WNBA draft rules are different from those of the NBA. The NBA allows players to enter the draft after one year of college or after they turn 19 years old.
The WNBA requires domestic draft participants must be at least 22 years old, be out of college, or have given up their right to future college eligibility, according to the league. International entrants in the draft must be at least 20 years old in the calendar year of the draft.
Iowa’s Caitlin Clark faces a tough choice after next season
Clark does not fit any of these requirements. She turned 21 in January, she is in her junior season at Iowa, and her original class will not graduate until 2024. Therefore, she will have to wait until 2024 to enter the WNBA draft.
She will have the decision to make after next season. She will have an extra year of college eligibility due to the COVID-19-impacted 2020-21 season. She can either declare for the 2024 WNBA draft when she turns 22, or she can come back to Iowa for a fifth season and chase another national title.
Clark has not revealed what her plans are for the future. She has said that she loves playing for Iowa and that she is focused on winning the title this year. She has also said that she respects the WNBA rules and that she understands why they are there.
Whatever she chooses to do, one thing is clear: she is a star in waiting. She has proven herself as one of the best players in college basketball and she has shown that she can compete at the highest level. She will be a great asset to any WNBA team that drafts her and she will be a delight to watch for years to come.