Former Notre Dame women’s basketball coach Muffet McGraw recently reflected on her recruitment of Caitlin Clark and the pivotal choice that reshaped their careers. Clark, now a standout in the WNBA with the Indiana Fever, initially gave a “soft commitment” to Notre Dame before ultimately deciding to stay closer to home and play for Iowa.
Speaking on the Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast, McGraw recalled Clark’s decision-making process, noting that Clark initially said, “I made the decision,” but later opted for Iowa. McGraw learned of the change directly from Clark and acknowledged the impact it had on her own career, joking, “I may still be coaching if Caitlin Clark came to Notre Dame.” McGraw retired shortly after Clark’s decision but praised Clark’s transformative talent and influence on basketball programs.
Clark, an Iowa native, later shared that her family and ties to the Midwest played a significant role in her choice. “I wanted to stay fairly close to home,” she told ESPN, adding that she felt Iowa was the right fit. At Iowa, Clark thrived, setting records, leading the Hawkeyes to back-to-back national championship appearances, and becoming the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. Her rookie season in the WNBA brought further accolades, including Rookie of the Year and All-Star honors.
Reflecting on the outcome, McGraw commended Clark’s character and acknowledged Iowa was the best fit for her, calling it “probably a great decision.”
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