She had something special.She marveled at the incoming freshman’s abilities during Dowling Catholic’s summer camp in 2016, when newcomers got their first chance to practice as a Maroon.
Clark blossomed into a national recruit. By her sophomore year, she was already regarded as a five-star, top-10 prospect. Iowa, Iowa State and Drake were all over her. Texas was quick to jump in. National powers such as Notre Dame, Louisville and Oregon State started calling.
Now, as Dowling prepares for next week’s Class 5A state tournament, ESPNW deems Clark the No. 4 recruit in the country’s 2020 class. Blue Star ranks her No. 3.
The 5-foot-11 point guard is averaging a state-best 32.2 points per game. With at least one game next week at Wells Fargo Arena and her senior season left, she could break Iowa’s all-time large school scoring record of 2,494 points, which was set in 2000.
A prospect like that can take her time with her college decision. Clark is doing just that.
Clark does have a main group of schools on her radar: There’s the in-state trio of Iowa, Iowa State and Drake, plus Texas, Oregon, Oregon State, Notre Dame, Duke, Florida and Creighton. Missouri has also been in to see her this year.
In addition to many visits to the in-state schools, Clark and her father, Brent, took unofficial visits to Oregon, Oregon State and Texas in the fall, and she has taken unofficials to Notre Dame the past two summers.
Juniors can start taking official visits on the Thursday following the NCAA women’s basketball championship game. Clark doesn’t know how many, if any, officials she’ll want to take.
She does, however, know she wants to play out this spring and summer with All Iowa Attack and then make her college decision before her senior year. Or, before her senior basketball season, at the latest.
Among the top factors in her decision? Style of play and coaching, family culture and, maybe most importantly, the opportunity to make an impact right away.
Iowa, Iowa State and Drake are pulling out all the stops to land the in-state mega-recruit.
Clark’s recruitment started in the summer before seventh grade. That’s when Brent first remembers coaches actually paid attention to his daughter as she played up two age levels with All Iowa Attack.
That fall, Clark received her first letter of interest. It was from Missouri State.
Things moved quickly. The summer after seventh grade, Clark played with high school freshmen on All Iowa Attack’s 15-and-under team. The following summer, she played up with the 16-and-under and 17-and-under rosters.
Yes, a kid who’d never played a high school game teamed up with soon-to-be-Division-I players such as Ashley Joens, Grace Berg, Hannah Fuller and Mary Crompton.
Caitlin is a consumate playmaker executes in half-court game with precision.Unselfish decision-maker passes with purpose.Offensive firepower manufactures shots in mid-range game to the arc.A leader, teammate and a power-5 prospect.
USA Basketball Notes
Gold Medal: 2017 FIBA Americas U16 Championship.
Named to the 2019 USA U19 World Cup Team on May 19, 2019.
One of 45 finalists named for the 2018 U17 World Cup Team.
Helped the 2017 USA U16 National Team capture the FIBA Americas U16 Championship gold medal with a perfect 5-0 record in Buenos Aires, Argentina, which qualified the U.S. for the 2018 FIBA U17 World Cup.
High School Honors
Gatorade State Player of the Year (2019).
Naismith High School All-America honorable mention (2019).
USA Today All-USA third team, All-USA Iowa first team (2018, 2019) and All-Iowa honorable mention (2017).
Des Moines Register All-Iowa Elite Team and All-Iowa Class 5A first team (2019).
MaxPreps All-America third team (2019) and honorable mention (2018).
Des Moines Register All-Class 1A honorable mention (2017).
Des Moines Register All-Class 3A first team in soccer (2018).
Naismith High School All-America honorable mention (2018).
Des Moines Register All-Iowa Girls Elite (2018, 2019).
Iowa Print Sports Writers Association Class 5A All-State first team (2018).
Central Iowa Metropolitan League (CIML) Player of Year (2018) and All-CIML first team (2017, 2018).
Iowa Basketball Coaches Association Class 5A All-Western District (2017, 2018) and IBCA All-State Class 5A second team (2017).
Iowa Newspaper Association All-Class 5A third team (2017).
2017 and 2018 Academic All-CIML.
High School Notes
Has played three varsity seasons at Dowling Catholic High School in Des Moines, Iowa.
As a junior in 2018-19, averaged 32.6 ppg., 6.8 rpg., 3.6 apg. and 2.3 spg. in leading her team to a 17-8 record and the Iowa Class 5A semifinals.
Started 46 of 47 games played in the first two years of her prep career and compiled 991 points, 230 rebounds, 205 assists and 108 steals.
As a sophomore in 2017-18, started all 24 games and averaged 27.1 ppg., 6.5 rpg., 4.0 apg. and 2.3 spg., while aiding her team to a 20-4 record and the state quarterfinals.
As a freshman in 2016-17, started in all 24 games played and averaged 15.3 ppg. and 4.7 apg. to help her team to a 19-5 record and the state quarterfinals.
Plays in the summer for All Iowa Attack in the Nike EYBL.
Also plays soccer in high school and with a club team.
Personal Notes
Born in Des Moines, Iowa, and now resides in West Des Moines, Iowa.
Daughter of Anne Nizzi-Clark and Brent Clark; has two brothers, Blake, who plays football for Iowa State, and Colin.
Father played basketball and baseball at Simpson College; uncle, Tom Faber, played basketball at Drake and Utica; cousin, Audrey Faber, played basketball at Creighton; and uncle, Mike Nizzi, played football at Nebraska Omaha.
Is a member of her school’s Presidential Honor Roll and academic honor roll.
Is an all-state soccer player, boasts a 3.83 GPA, taking classes such as advanced chemistry and advanced geometry, as well as yoga.
Twitter: @caitlinclark22.
Has volunteered locally on behalf of a food pantry, an animal shelter, the Special Olympics and a children’s hospital.
First played basketball when she was 5.
Enjoys spending time with family and friends, attending concerts and baking.
Favorite class: chemistry.
Has golden retriever named Bella.
International travels: Argentina with USA Basketball and Dominican Republic for spring break 2018.
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