TAKING POINT
at University of Iowa
IN her First year, Caitlin was named
Co-national Freshman of the Year by
the U.S. Basketball Writers Association.
She also scored at least 30 points in each of 12 games, the most by any NCAA Division I freshman since 2000, and led the country in total points, total assists, points per game, field goals made and 3-pointers made.
On July 1, 2021, the NCAA approved a new name, image and likeness (NIL) policy that allows college athletes to profit from their brand. In part, the new rule opened the door for brands to sponsor student-athletes. Caitlin is Hy-Vee’s first partner at the NCAA level. “I think pretty much every company that I’ve partnered with is a homegrown Iowa company, and that’s my story too,” Caitlin says. As part of the new partnership, look for exclusive Q&As and videos with Caitlin on Hy-Vee’s social media, as well as family health and wellness initiatives featuring the star player.
New NCAA rules paved
the way for the partnership
Caitlin teams
up with Hy-Vee
Success can be defined as your impact, your legacy that you leave. and I think that’s something I take seriously. I want to inspire the Next Generation.
–Caitlin Clark
Pay it Forward
The significance behind her number? She was born on January 22. “I’ve worn it for every sport my entire life,”
Caitlin says.
As a major star in women’s basketball, Caitlin wants her success to encourage others. As a child, watching WNBA player Maya Moore inspired Caitlin to pursue her dream of playing sports at the professional level. Now, she hopes to motivate other young girls in the same way. “If I am going to have an impact on a younger kid, I just want to inspire them to be great at whatever they want to be,” Caitlin says.
22
#
OFF
THE COURT
with
CAITLIN CLARK
What is the best purchase you’ve ever made?
That’s so hard. Probably my Keurig, because I love coffee and I drink it all the time. I’m a huge coffee person.
How would you describe your personal style?
Comfy, relaxed. I’ve always been more relaxed. I don’t like to dress up much, but I don’t have to dress up much. I’m usually in a comfy, chill style.
What type of music do you like?
Definitely country music. Luke Combs, Brett Young.
I’m a big Dan + Shay fan.
What’s something you want to get better at?
Cooking! I want to learn more recipes.
I wish I could cook more fun stuff. I like to bake brownies, cookies—I just need to open the palate up more so I can get more meals in there. My mom is a super good cook, so she sets the bar high and I want to be able to make really great meals like her.
What would be your dream job outside basketball?
I’m not sure I’d be able to achieve this, but I wanted to be on the LPGA pro golf tour or a pro tennis player. I would also like to be a rock star. I used to think that would be super cool, to be a famous singer or something. I would never be able to, I have a horrible voice, but I think that would be really fun.
Have you thought about your career after Iowa?
I definitely want to play at the next level, especially in the WNBA. Obviously, you can play in multiple leagues depending on your seasons, and getting to go overseas and play basketball and explore would be super cool as well.
Do you feel like you’ve achieved success yet?
Oh, definitely not. I think there’s little goals that I’ve achieved, and I’ve done some great things. But when I think about where I want to be, I don’t know if I’ll ever say I’m at full potential or reaching success. Obviously when I meet some goals, yes, that’s successful. But definitely not right now.
And physically, how do you maintain that level of on-the-go?
My diet and sleep have become more important. When you are so busy all the time, performing at such a high level, working out so much—it’s really something I didn’t take that seriously when I was younger. Now that my body’s getting older, I perform so much—you have to lift weights, practice every day and then go play the next day. I mean, it’s a lot. So, learning to take care of your body in that regard too, I think is super important and something I’ve learned to do.
What do you do to balance a schedule like that?
I think turning your phone off and just getting away can be a big one. I think my coaches, my teammates, my family really keep me level headed more than anything.
What’s your schedule look like?
I’m at the facility six hours a day, whether it’s film, rehab treatment, lifting weights, practice. I think it’s a lot more than what people think. It basically is your job—that and school. You’re basically a professional athlete just at the college level.
How was the adjustment going from high school to college?
I’ve always had a really tight knit circle. So, I think really just leaning on your teammates, leaning on your coaches, leaning on your family and the people that have really been with you through your whole entire journey, through the highs and lows, really that’s all that matters.
I think not only me, but our entire team plays the game in such a fun manner.
“
”
I think I can be somebody that really excites people about WATCHING THE GAME.
performance achievements
Caitlin keeps racking up basketball records
and honors.
2016
Averages 15.3 points per game as a high school freshman.
2019
Named Gatorade State Player of the Year after averaging 32.6 points per game as a junior.
2020
Honored as Iowa Miss Basketball and as a McDonald’s All-American team member.
Receives honors as
Big Ten Freshman of the Year and USBWA Co-National Freshman of the Year.
2021
2022
Sets a new Big Ten record for reaching 1,000 career points the fastest, in just 40 games.
2022
Sets record for most points scored (44) in a women’s basketball game in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Can your older brother still beat you in a one-on-one?
We would have some serious battles out in front of our house, but I think more than anything I can take him to school. He still likes to think that he would beat me, but no, I win, every time.
ABOUT watching the game.
THAT really excites people about
I think not only me, but our entire team plays the game in such a fun manner.
team plays the game in such a fun manner.
