Iowa's Caitlin Clark reflects on 'sad' end to her collegiate career

Caitlin Clark walked off a college court for the final time on Sunday, but not in storybook fashion following Iowa's 87-75 loss to South Carolina in the women's national championship. 

However, with the sour taste of defeat still present, Clark reflected on her career at Iowa and all she and the program have accomplished. 

"I'm sad we lost this game, but I'm also so proud of myself. I'm so proud of my teammates. I'm so proud of this program," Clark said via the Big Ten Network. "There's a lot to be proud of, but there's going to be tears. It is sad that this is all over. This is the last time I'm going to put on an Iowa jersey. So, I think just reflecting back and, you know, soaking in everything I was able to do because basically, anybody other than me or coach [Lisa] Bluder would've never thought this was possible."

A two-time player of the year, four-time All-American and holder of the all-time scoring record, Clark has accomplished enough on the basketball court to fill a book. However, she's also had an enormous impact on Iowa and women's basketball as a whole. 

This tournament alone, Clark has helped draw the largest audiences women's basketball has ever seen. On April 1, a then-record 12.3M viewers tuned in to watch Iowa play LSU in the Elite Eight. Then, a few days later, the Hawkeyes' Final Four matchup against UConn drew an average of 14.2M viewers, shattering the record, which will likely be topped again when ratings for the title game come in. 

Meanwhile, Clark's effect on Iowa has been immeasurable. Before her arrival, the Hawkeyes had only once reached the national title game and never earned a 30-win season in the program's history. Four years later, Iowa has two 30-win seasons and doubled its appearances in the championship. 

As for Sunday's game, Clark and Iowa did all they could, but South Carolina proved too much. Clark dropped an NCAA championship record 18 points in the first quarter, but the Gamecocks clamped down on defense, holding her to only 12 points the rest of the way. 

A deep and insanely talented South Carolina squad simply overwhelmed Iowa, and the dominance displayed was not lost on Clark.   

"South Carolina is so good. There's only so much you can do," Clark said. "[Kamilla] Cardoso has 17 rebounds, they have 51 as a team, we have 29. Hard to win a basketball game like that. You basically have to shoot perfect at that point." 

Clark added that she had no time to "sulk" after Sunday's loss, and she isn't wrong. The now-former Iowa star will soon turn pro, and she's expected to be chosen No. 1 overall in the upcoming WNBA Draft. 

The latest mock draft from ESPN has Clark as a lock to go first overall to the Indiana Fever.