Caitlin Clark named Preseason Player of the Year

Welcome to center stage, Caitlin Clark! Well, actually, welcome back, as you maintained that spot the entire 2021-22 women’s college basketball season and are rather familiar with the spotlight.

In what has been an offseason of expectations growing, hype surrounding the team, and recognition continuing to circulate around Clark, another accolade has found its way to her.

This time we see the leader and guard of the Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball team, Caitlin Clark, named the Preseason Player of the Year by the Athletic.

𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗢𝗬 🤩@CaitlinClark22 tabbed Preseason Player of the Year by @TheAthletic! #Hawkeyes

— Iowa Women’s Basketball (@IowaWBB) October 26, 2022

This comes right on the heels of Clark being named a unanimous preseason All-American by the Associated Press. Only Clark and Aliyah Boston of South Carolina were honored with that recognition by the voters.

“We return, in my opinion, the best point guard in the country. Caitlin Clark not only led the United States in points per game, but also led the United States in assists. First time that’s ever been done in the history of women’s basketball. Obviously a Naismith finalist, the MVP pre-season and last year’s pick from the Big Ten,” Iowa head women’s basketball coach Lisa Bluder said.

While Clark will certainly be the focal point for the Hawkeyes, they are going to be bringing talent across the board at all positions. One key contributor expected to breakout this year is senior guard Gabbie Marshall.

The duo of Clark and Marshall, which could also be a fantastic law firm name and a nickname I will now use all season, can provide great leadership and output for the Hawkeyes as they look to build on a season that saw a Big Ten regular season championship and a Big Ten conference tournament championship.

The season gets underway Monday, Nov. 7 at 8:30 p.m. against Southern University on Big Ten Network Plus.