‘Sad news’: Grassley mourns Caitlin Clark’s decision to declare for WNBA draft

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is mourning basketball star Caitlin Clark’s decision to declare for the WNBA draft instead of playing another year at the University of Iowa.

“Sad news for Hawk fans w Caitlin Clark declaring for the draft I love watching her play Clark fans will live on no matter where she plays,” he wrote Thursday on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

“She’s a talented IOWA star,” he added.

Clark, who has broken NCAA records — and is expected to clinch another this weekend — announced earlier in the day that she would be entering the WNBA draft after the end of this season.

“While this season is far from over and we have a lot more goals to achieve, it will be my last one at Iowa,” Clark wrote on social media. “I am excited to be entering the 2024 WNBA Draft.”

The Des Moines native thanked her teammates, coaches, the fans and her friends and family for making her dreams come true at Iowa.

Clark in February became the all-time NCAA women’s career leading scorer. At the time of the record-breaking accomplishment, Clark had scored 3,569 points during the 126 games she had played for the Hawkeyes.

Grassley last month congratulated Clark for breaking the scoring record, calling her “the pride of Iowa.”

Clark and the Hawkeyes will play in the Big Ten tournament next week before the NCAA tournament later this month.

Clark, who had the option of returning to the team for a fifth season because of the COVID-19 pandemic, is predicted to be the No. 1 overall WNBA draft pick April 15.

The WNBA’s Indiana Fever indicated they intend to select her with the first pick in the draft.

Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.), who is running for Senate, responded to Grassley’s post about Clark leaving Iowa for the draft.

“She will love Indianapolis sir #IndianaFever,” he posted.

Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) also shared his “apologies” to both Grassley and Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) for Clark’s decision. He said her entering the draft is “exciting news for Indianapolis.”