Iowa’s Caitlin Clark Named AP WCBB Player of the Year for 2nd Straight Season

Tyler Conway@@jtylerconwayFeatured Columnist IVApril 4, 2024

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Iowa’s Caitlin Clark was named Associated Press Player of the Year in women’s basketball for the second consecutive season Thursday.

Clark received 35 of the 36 first-place votes to become the fifth woman to win the honor in consecutive seasons. She’s the first to pull off the feat since Breanna Stewart won three straight from 2014 to 2016.

Clark led the nation in points (32.0) and assists (9.0) per game this season while becoming the all-time leader in points in NCAA history. She dropped 41 points and 12 assists in Iowa’s 94-87 win over LSU to lead the Hawkeyes to the Final Four for a second straight season. The victory also provided a bit of revenge for Clark after her Hawkeyes were defeated by LSU in last year’s national title game.

“I think that’s the best part about what I get to do. I grew up having those role models and aspiring to be where I am today,” Clark said, per Doug Feinberg of the AP. “It’s super special to see your impact not only in the state of Iowa but across the country. … To be able to have that impact on the next generation is really special, and you just hope to dream and aspire to be like you one day and chase after all their dreams.”

Clark is widely expected to be the No. 1 pick of the Indiana Fever in this year’s WNBA draft.

She, of course, has a little bit of business to take care of first before finishing her college career. Iowa is set to take on UConn on Friday’s Final Four, and Clark undoubtedly hopes to end her college career with a championship.