Life After Caitlin Clark: Iowa Women’s Basketball Still Packs the House
IOWA CITY, Iowa — It was the Sunday before Thanksgiving, and while most of Iowa’s students had already left campus for the holiday break, the energy outside Carver-Hawkeye Arena was anything but quiet. Over two hours before tipoff, a line of fans stretched into the hundreds, eagerly waiting to watch the Iowa women’s basketball team take on Washington State. The scene was a testament to the lasting impact of Caitlin Clark, even though the superstar has moved on to the WNBA.
Among the crowd were Trenton Mendoza and his 9-year-old daughter, Riley, who had traveled all the way from Atlanta to visit family in Iowa. Riley, a budding basketball fan, had fallen in love with Clark’s signature step-back 3-pointers over the past few seasons. Trenton, knowing how much his daughter admired Clark and the Hawkeyes, surprised her with tickets to the game.
“We were watching the [Hawkeyes] before bed one night,” Trenton shared. “[Riley] rolls over and says, ‘Dad, we’re going to be in Iowa. What if the girls are playing while we’re there? We’ve got to go!’ I already had the tickets. It was hard not to say anything and keep the surprise.”
The Caitlin Clark Effect
Though Clark now plays for the Indiana Fever after being drafted in April, her legacy at Carver-Hawkeye Arena is undeniable. During her time at Iowa, Clark became one of the biggest stars in sports, known for her limitless 3-point range and dazzling passing. A two-time national player of the year and three-time unanimous All-American, she shattered scoring records and drew massive television audiences. In fact, during her final postseason run, the women’s NCAA tournament outpaced the men’s in viewership. Later this season, Iowa plans to retire Clark’s No. 22 jersey in a special ceremony with her in attendance.
The excitement Clark brought to women’s college basketball hasn’t faded. Last year, the Hawkeyes sold out their 15,000-seat ticket allotment for the first time. This year, even with Clark gone and the team entering the season unranked for the first time since her freshman year in 2020, Iowa has sold out again.
“I still have people wanting to borrow my [season] tickets,” said Ashleigh Determann, a fan from DeWitt, Iowa, who attended the Washington State game with her niece, Addison. “As you can see, it’s carried on this year.”
Adjusting to Life Without Clark
The transition to a post-Clark era hasn’t been without its challenges. On Saturday, the Hawkeyes committed 30 turnovers—their most in 22 years—in a 78-68 loss to Tennessee during the inaugural Women’s Champions Classic at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Tennessee capitalized on those mistakes, scoring 42 points off turnovers to secure the win. Despite the loss, the nationally televised doubleheader, which also featured Louisville against second-ranked UConn and Paige Bueckers, sold nearly 10,000 tickets.
Now ranked No. 21 with an 8-1 record, the Hawkeyes are looking to bounce back in an in-state showdown against No. 18 Iowa State on Wednesday. Unsurprisingly, that game is already another Carver-Hawkeye sellout.
“Caitlin brought new eyes to the game and the attention they deserve,” Determann said. “It’s only going to keep going.”
New Faces, Same Passion
While Clark’s departure left big shoes to fill, the Hawkeyes have found new leaders. Villanova transfer Lucy Olsen has taken over as point guard, averaging 18 points per game despite missing two games due to a knee injury. Inside, senior forward Addison O’Grady and junior Hannah Stuelke have emerged as key contributors, combining for 29 points and 13 rebounds per game. Stuelke, one of the few holdovers from last year’s squad, grew up attending Iowa games and is amazed by the transformation in fan support.
“We make it fun for the fans,” Stuelke said. “I think a lot of people are getting into women’s basketball, and it’s new and exciting. All the hype we’ve had, it’s carried over. … And we’re still reaching a lot of people.”
Fans of All Ages
The impact of Iowa women’s basketball extends far beyond the court. Fans like Zach Hayworth, who attended the Washington State game with his wife and 5-year-old daughter, Stella, credit Clark and the Hawkeyes for inspiring a new generation of players and fans. Stella, wearing a Clark jersey, now spends her free time shooting baskets at home.
“What [Clark] has done for the sport is tremendous,” Zach said. “What she did for the state and for the sport is incredible.”
Other fans, like Pete and his 11-year-old daughter, Gianna, traveled from Chicago to see the Hawkeyes play. Pete, who never attended an Iowa women’s game during college, now finds himself talking more about women’s basketball than football or men’s basketball with his friends. “It’s a phenomenon,” he said. “This has taken top billing.”
A Lasting Legacy
Even with five minutes left in Iowa’s 72-42 victory over Washington State, the energy in Carver-Hawkeye Arena remained electric. First-year head coach Jan Jensen, who spent 24 years as an assistant under Lisa Bluder, emptied her bench to give reserves like Jada Gyamfi a chance to shine. The crowd erupted when Gyamfi nailed her first 3-pointer of the season.
For fans like Steve King, who moved back to Iowa and bought season tickets for Clark’s senior year, the excitement of Iowa women’s basketball is here to stay. “It’s funny, sitting up here, you can see all these big dudes all ripped—and they’ve got the Clark jerseys on,” King said. “It’s just awesome.”
As Craig Labath, a father of two young daughters, put it: “It’s so nice to see women’s sports selling out. We never had that before Clark. Now, we have it without Clark.”
Originally Written by: M.A. Voepel
