On May 4, 2025, Caitlin Clark made a highly anticipated return to Iowa, where she had become a basketball legend. Now a star for the Indiana Fever, Clark returned to Carver-Hawkeye Arena for a WNBA preseason game against the Brazilian national team. The event drew an impressive 1.3 million viewers on ESPN, surpassing the league’s average viewership from the previous season. The game peaked at 1.6 million viewers, a remarkable figure considering the lopsided score of 108–44 in favor of the Fever.
Tickets for the game sold out in under 40 minutes, with prices on the secondary market reaching up to $1,000. Fans packed the arena to see Clark, who had become the all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division I history during her time at Iowa. During the game, she showcased her signature long-range shooting by hitting a 36-foot three-pointer near the “22” logo on the court, a spot where she had previously made history.
Earlier in the year, Clark had returned to Iowa City for a ceremony where her No. 22 jersey was retired, honoring her exceptional collegiate career. Her return to Carver-Hawkeye Arena as a professional player was a full-circle moment for both Clark and her fans.
Off the court, Clark continued her commitment to the Iowa community. In August 2024, she visited Des Moines North High School, where she and the Caitlin Clark Foundation distributed Nike backpacks filled with school supplies to 350 students. This gesture exemplified her dedication to uplifting and improving the lives of youth in Iowa through education, nutrition, and sport.
As the WNBA season approaches, fans eagerly anticipate Clark’s continued impact both on and off the court.