If you’ve turned on a college basketball broadcast in the last two years, you’ve seen the crowds chanting her name, the record books rewritten by her hand, and casual sports fans asking one simple question: Is Caitlin Clark Draft Eligible? The Iowa Hawkeyes guard has become the face of women’s college basketball, breaking the all-time NCAA scoring record for both men’s and women’s play and drawing record viewership to every game she plays. As fans fixate on her future pro career, it’s easy to get confused about the rules around WNBA draft eligibility, especially with her ongoing college career and the NCAA’s COVID-era eligibility relief. This post will break down every detail of Clark’s draft status, her timeline, and what it means for the future of women’s sports.
The Short Answer: Is Caitlin Clark Draft Eligible Right Now?
The WNBA has two non-negotiable core eligibility requirements for all draft prospects: players must be at least 22 years old by December 31 of the draft year, and four full years removed from their high school graduation. As of fall 2023, Caitlin Clark meets both of these requirements, making her technically eligible for the 2024 WNBA Draft. Clark graduated from high school in 2020, so she hits the four-year post-graduation mark in 2024, and she turned 22 on January 27, 2024, which falls well before the April 2024 draft date. That said, Clark has already announced she’ll return to Iowa for the 2023-24 season, and she plans to use her COVID-19 extra year to compete for a fifth season in 2024-25, so she won’t declare for the 2024 draft.
The COVID Extra Year: How It Shapes Caitlin Clark’s Draft Options
In 2020, the NCAA granted all Division I athletes who competed in the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season an extra year of eligibility, stretching their standard four-year window to five full seasons. Clark was a freshman guard for Iowa during the 2020-21 season, so she qualifies for this extended eligibility period.
Right now, Clark has completed three full seasons at Iowa: 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23. Her original senior season would be 2023-24, but with the extra year, she’ll compete for the Hawkeyes again in 2024-25 before exhausting her NCAA eligibility. This means she won’t have to leave college early to pursue the WNBA unless she chooses to.
Plenty of top women’s college players have already used their COVID extra year to extend their collegiate careers, and Clark is in good company. Here are a few standout athletes who opted to return:
- Angel Reese, LSU: Won the 2023 national title and returned for the 2023-24 season
- Paige Bueckers, UConn: Returned for 2023-24 after recovering from an ACL injury
- Dorka Juhasz, UConn: Transferred to Iowa State and competed in the 2023-24 season with her extra eligibility
Clark has been clear about her plans to stay in college: after Iowa’s 2023 Final Four loss to LSU, she told ESPN reporters that she’s “100% coming back for my fifth year” to chase a national championship with the Hawkeyes. Even with this public commitment, she retains the right to change her mind and declare for the WNBA draft at any point before the early entry deadline.
WNBA Early Entry Rules: What Happens If Caitlin Clark Declares Early?
Even though Clark plans to stay in college for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, she could opt to declare for the WNBA draft ahead of schedule if she changes her mind. The 2024 WNBA early entry deadline is February 12, 2024, which is 60 days before the official draft date of April 15, 2024.
For players who still have remaining NCAA eligibility, the WNBA has a few extra steps for early entry. All prospects must submit a written declaration to the WNBA league office, confirm they’re opting out of all remaining college eligibility, and meet the standard age and high school graduation requirements.
If Clark decided to declare for the 2024 draft, she would need to complete these key steps first:
- Notify the Iowa Hawkeyes athletics department that she’s opting out of her remaining NCAA eligibility
- Submit a signed early entry form to the WNBA’s front office
- Attend the 2024 WNBA Draft Combine if invited to showcase her skills to pro teams
- Wait for the draft to be selected by a WNBA franchise
Sports analysts predict that if Clark did declare early, she would be the first overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, as she’s the consensus best women’s college basketball player in the country. She’d also sign a lucrative rookie contract, with first-round picks earning a base salary of $68,000 in their first season.
NCAA vs. WNBA Eligibility: Key Differences Every Fan Should Know
One of the most common mix-ups for sports fans is confusing NCAA eligibility rules with WNBA draft eligibility rules. These two sets of guidelines are completely separate, and one does not depend on the other. NCAA eligibility governs whether a player can compete in college sports, while WNBA eligibility governs whether a player can be drafted into the professional league.
Clark’s name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals do not impact her WNBA draft eligibility. The NCAA allows college athletes to profit from their personal brand, and the WNBA does not penalize players for having active NIL deals before they turn pro. In fact, Clark’s NIL deals are worth over $1 million annually, per sports business outlet Sportico.
To make the difference even clearer, here’s a quick comparison table of the two eligibility systems:
| Eligibility Type | Core Requirements | Enforced By |
|---|---|---|
| NCAA Division I Basketball | 5 total seasons max, no pro contracts | NCAA + University Athletics Department |
| WNBA Draft | 22 by Dec 31 of draft year, 4 years post-high school | WNBA League Office |
For example, former UConn star Breanna Stewart was eligible for the 2016 WNBA Draft after her junior year of college, but she chose to stay for her senior season to complete her NCAA eligibility before being drafted first overall. This is a common choice for top prospects who want to finish their college careers before turning pro.
Why Caitlin Clark’s Draft Eligibility Is a Big Deal for Women’s Sports
Caitlin Clark is a generational talent who has already broken countless records in her collegiate career, including the all-time NCAA scoring record for both men’s and women’s play. She passed Pete Maravich’s 3,667-point record in February 2023, cementing her status as one of the greatest college basketball players of all time.
Clark has also single-handedly boosted attendance and viewership for women’s college basketball. During the 2022-23 season, Iowa’s home games averaged over 14,000 fans, a new Big Ten conference record, and her 2023 Final Four game against LSU drew over 12 million viewers, the most for any women’s college basketball game in history.
Her 2022-23 season was filled with record-breaking stats that showcase her elite skill set:
- Averaged 31.6 points per game, leading the entire nation in scoring
- Averaged 8.6 assists per game, ranking third in the country
- Made 140 3-pointers, the most in a single NCAA season
- Scored 40 or more points in 10 different games
The WNBA has been working to grow its fanbase and increase its national profile in recent years, and Clark’s arrival in the league would be a game-changer for the league. Even if she stays in college for another season, her presence is already helping to grow the sport of women’s basketball, which will benefit the WNBA and women’s sports as a whole for years to come.
What Fans Can Do to Follow Caitlin Clark’s Draft Journey
For fans who want to stay updated on Clark’s draft eligibility and college career, there are several easy and reliable ways to follow her journey. Whether you’re a die-hard Hawkeyes fan or a casual WNBA viewer, you won’t want to miss a single update about her future.
One of the best ways to stay in the loop is to follow Clark’s personal social media accounts, where she posts updates about her games, off-season training, and personal life. She also regularly interacts with fans on her platforms, so it’s a great way to get up-close access to her thoughts and experiences.
Here’s a quick list of recommended sources to follow Clark’s journey:
- Follow Caitlin Clark on Instagram and Twitter for real-time updates
- Watch Iowa Hawkeyes games on the Big Ten Network or ESPN to catch her in action live
- Sign up for the Iowa Hawkeyes athletics newsletter for official team news and game schedules
- Check WNBA.com for the latest draft eligibility updates and league news
You can also attend Iowa’s home games at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, which sells out quickly for Clark’s appearances, or watch the games from home to support her as she chases a national championship and prepares for her eventual pro career.
The Future of Caitlin Clark’s Pro Career: What Experts Are Saying
Sports analysts and industry experts are nearly unanimous in their praise for Clark’s potential as a professional basketball player. Many agree that she’ll be a franchise-changing player for whichever WNBA team drafts her, thanks to her elite scoring ability, playmaking skills, and massive marketability.
The WNBA’s growth depends on attracting top-tier star power to boost viewership and attendance, and Clark is the biggest star in women’s college basketball right now. Experts predict that her arrival in the league will lead to a significant uptick in WNBA viewership, as fans tune in to watch her play at the professional level.
Here are a few key predictions from leading sports outlets about Clark’s WNBA career:
- Sports Illustrated: Clark will win the WNBA Rookie of the Year award in 2025
- ESPN: Clark will lead the WNBA in scoring within her first three professional seasons
- The Athletic: Clark will help grow WNBA viewership by 30% in her first season in the league
Even though Clark plans to stay in college for the next two seasons, her future in the WNBA is already bright, and fans are excited to see her take her talents to the pro league once she’s ready. No matter what she decides, she’s already left an indelible mark on the sport of women’s basketball, and she’ll continue to be a leading voice for women’s sports for years to come.
To wrap up, Caitlin Clark is technically eligible for the 2024 WNBA Draft, but she plans to stay in college for two more seasons thanks to the NCAA’s COVID-era extra eligibility year. Her draft eligibility is a major talking point for women’s sports fans, as she’s a generational talent who has already helped grow the sport more than any player in recent history. Whether you’re a die-hard college basketball fan or a casual WNBA viewer, her journey over the next two seasons will be one of the most exciting stories in all of sports.
If you want to stay updated on Caitlin Clark’s draft eligibility and college career, be sure to follow the sources listed earlier in this post. Watch her games, share her highlights on social media, and support her as she chases a national championship and prepares for her eventual pro career. You won’t want to miss the next chapter of one of the greatest college basketball players of all time.