Image Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Hawkeyes and South Carolina retire Caitlin Clark and A’ja Wilson’s iconic No.22 jerseys in emotional ceremonies

Clark is an all-time leading scorer in NCAA men’s and women’s Division I basketball history.

Image Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

The Hawkeyes and USC honored the legacy of Caitlin Clark and A’ja Wilson by retiring their iconic #22 jerseys on Sunday. Clark’s jersey was retired after Iowa upset No. 4 Trojans 76-69 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. On the other hand, Wilson’s jersey was lifted to the Colonial Life Arena’s rafters before the Gamecocks took down the Auburn Tigers 83-66.

The Hawkeyes put an end to the 15-game winning streak of the Trojans in a match that saw Lucy Olsen scoring 28 points and Addison O’Grady adding 13 for the ultimate winners.

Following the game, the Hawkeyes paid an emotional tribute to Clark, the Indiana Fever’s No. 1 draft pick and the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year. The 23-year-old is regarded as one of the biggest reasons to elevate the game of women’s basketball.

Clark is an all-time leading scorer in NCAA men’s and women’s Division I basketball history. During the ceremony, she thanked everyone for the support she got throughout her career with Iowa.

“I wouldn’t be here without any of you and a lot of you came back. You all have busy schedules and that just speaks to the culture of this place, so selfless. I know my number is up there, but it wouldn’t be if it weren’t for all of you,” she said.

#22 is immortalized forever for @iowawbb 🙌

Congratulations Caitlin Clark! pic.twitter.com/zQnnf1BPvu
— WNBA (@WNBA) February 2, 2025

On the other hand, as Wilson’s jersey got retired, she expressed her gratitude and joy to the side. The first four-time All-American and National Player of the Year in 2018 for the school said,

“I am overwhelmed with gratitude and joy to have my jersey retired at the University of South Carolina, the place where my dreams began is an honor I can hardly put into words.”

Caitlin Clark’s career with Iowa Hawkeyes

Clark is the all-time NCAA Division I women’s basketball leading scorer with a total of 3,951 points throughout her four-year tenure from 2020 to 2024. She averaged 28.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, 8.2 assists and 1.5 steals per game during her college career.

Clark is also a two-time AP of the year (2023,2024) and also got distinction of the AP Female Athlete of the Year at one point. The Des Moines-born was also adjudged the Big Ten Player of the Year as well as the Big Ten Tournament MOP on three occasions.

A’Ja Wilson’s Career with Gamecocks

Wilson became the fifth Gamecocks player to have her jersey retired. She is the program’s all-time leader with a total of 2, 389 points as well as 363 blocks. Not only this, but Wilson is also the first player in the history of the league to win SEC Player of the Year three times.

With her, South Carolina won their first national title in 2017, and she also led the Gamecocks for their first Women’s Final four in 2015. Wilson, who was the National Player of the Year in 2018 also led the side to four SEC tournament titles and three SEC regular season titles. Wilson was the first recruit in her program and she went on to become its most decorated player in women’s basketball.

A’ja Wilson

Caitlin Clark

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.