Caitlin Clark opens up on the ‘difficult decision’ to leave Iowa early for the WNBA and says she didn’t realize she broke the NCAA scoring record until she heard the crowd: ‘You can’t really script it any better’

Iowa women’s basketball star Caitlin Clark spoke in depth about her decision to join the WNBA and what it was like to set a new NCAA scoring record.

The Hawkeyes star spoke with Good Morning America about a variety of topics as his college career comes to an end.

Clark still has one year of eligibility left thanks to the Covid year all NCAA athletes received, but he decided it was time for a change.

“Well, I think there are pros and cons for both sides, and that’s what made the decision so difficult,” Clark told GMA’s Robin Roberts.

“It was almost a victory, but at the same time a defeat, because I was giving up something and I’m ready for the next chapter and a new challenge in my life.”

She spoke about her decision to leave college with one year of eligibility left to join the WNBA.

“But I think the reason I decided to announce it when I did was just to have that closure, especially heading into senior night.”

Clark is the consensus No. 1 overall pick, and the Indiana Fever are already showing signs of taking her with the first pick.

That means Clark will be leaving his home state for the first time. The West Des Moines native says it’s time to explore a new place.

“I think it’s something I’m prepared for and that’s why I decided to take this step,” she said. ‘But also, this is the place, like everyone else I’ve ever known in my entire life, and that was the main reason I came to the University of Iowa.

‘I wanted to play for my home state. I wanted to do something that had never really been done before.’

Clark recently surpassed Pete Maravich to become the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer. While he was aware that he needed to score a certain amount of points, he didn’t know how many he had when he made two free throws to set the record.

“We’re going to play the number two team in the country on a senior night on our home court,” Clark said. ‘You really can’t write a better script.

“Honestly, I didn’t realize until everyone started going crazy. And it’s great to have so many people in the stands who appreciate women’s basketball, but who understand its history.”

Clark recently broke the NCAA career scoring record previously held by Pete Maravich.

Clark has been seen as a pioneer in women’s sports and her success this season has done wonders for women’s basketball, with more and more people tuning in.

She told Roberts that people still tell her they are surprised at how tough and competitive the sport is.

“Yeah, I guess it still surprises me that people get a little upset because women are competitive and get into little arguments on the court or have little trash talk, and that’s how it should be.”

‘I think more than anything, it’s surprising. As you didn’t know, this is how women’s sports are played. Come on.’