IOWA CITY — Caitlin Clark gained’t be chasing factors, nor counting them down.
“I’m not actively searching for out (the nationwide profession scoring document),” the reigning nationwide participant of the 12 months mentioned. “However I do know that I most likely have an opportunity to interrupt it.
“If I proceed to be the participant I’m, it’s going to most likely come.”
Getting into her fourth (however not essentially last) season on the College of Iowa, Clark has scored 2,717 factors.
Three main milestones are in her future, assuming she scores at her profession tempo of 27 factors per sport.
* The Iowa document of two,804 factors, set by Megan Gustafson in 2019 (and thought of unbreakable on the time) ought to fall within the Hawkeyes’ third or fourth sport of the season.
* Solely 13 Division-I gamers have scored 3,000 factors. Clark ought to get there in early December. Possibly at Ames or at Madison, Wis.
* Then there’s the biggie. Kelsey Plum (Washington, 2013-17) is the all-time NCAA chief at 3,527 factors.
Clark appropriately estimated that she might break that mark on the finish of the common season or within the Massive Ten event.
“I really like Kelsey Plum,” Clark mentioned. “She’s anyone I’ve sort of idolized.”
4 years? Or 5?
Clark can be requested repeatedly whether or not she intends to spend a fifth winter with the Hawkeyes, in 2024-25.
“I’m going to go based mostly on my intestine,” she mentioned. “I’ll know after I know, whether or not to remain or to go. I sort of really feel prefer it’s the recruiting course of once more.”
If Clark stays, she’ll be joined by one of many high freshman courses within the nation, which options 4 top-100 prospects.
If she goes, she is the possible No. 1 choice within the 2024 WNBA Draft.
She instructed The Gazette in August that she was “a 6” on a scale of 1 to 10 in probability in staying.
Wednesday, she mentioned, “Once I know, all of you’ll know.”
‘Simply focus and shoot it’
As a freshman, Hannah Stuelke gave the Hawkeyes an unusual athlete, a 6-foot-3 energy ahead that would soar towards the rim and outrun most guards.
However there was a evident deficiency. Stuelke shot 46.0 p.c from the free throw line.
“I’d get so nervous,” she mentioned. “I might assume, ‘oh, no, I’m on the line once more.’”
Her purpose for this season — “70-75 p.c” — could be a large enchancment and would permit her to remain on the ground late in a good sport.
“It’s only a matter of focusing and taking pictures it,” Stuelke mentioned.
No brace for Feuerbach
Kylie Feuerbach goes to take the bare-legged method for her return to energetic responsibility.
A junior guard, Feuerbach was sidelined all through Iowa’s Closing 4 run final 12 months on account of a torn ACL in her proper knee.
“It was a protracted, lengthy 12 months,” she mentioned. “Nevertheless it was one of the thrilling issues I’ve ever been round.”
Feuerbach and Coach Lisa Bluder each proclaimed the knee at 100%, and Feuerbach will eschew a cumbersome brace on it, at the least for now.
“Some individuals put on them, some individuals don’t,” she mentioned. “I really feel good with out it. If I overthink it, I’d overcompensate.”
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