Caitlin Clark did not leave fans wondering about her future plans any longer.

Thursday night, Clark confirmed her time at Iowa is coming to a close, revealing on social media she will declare for the 2024 WNBA Draft. Widely regarded as the consensus top prospect in the game, all indications point toward Clark joining the Indiana Fever as the No. 1 pick.

In fact, the Fever were quick to put out some advertisements on social media in the wake of Clark’s announcement, reminding fans the franchise holds the No. 1 pick in the draft.

While the timing comes across as unusual (more on that in a bit), the decision itself is far from surprising. Clark certainly wants to leave Iowa City with a national title in hand, but there is nothing else for her to prove at the college level.

Entering Sunday’s season finale, Clark is on the precipice of setting the Division I scoring record in college basketball (both men’s and women’s basketball). Clark will likely win a second straight National Player of the Year award, and she continues to re-write the record books.

Couple Clark’s on-court presence, and her ability to transcend the game and captivate fans, she is a tailor-made pick for the Fever. Landing with the Fever would also keep Clark in the Midwest where she is already a household name and big-time ticket draw.

Why now for Clark’s decision?

Traditionally, decisions for the future come when a season is complete. However, Clark’s decision comes before we even reach the Big Ten Basketball Tournament, but she eloquently explained her timing on Friday. (Fans can track the latest postseason odds via Tradition’s Ohio betting apps.)

“I think going into senior night having that decision clear not only for myself but our fans, my teammates, I think that was super important and honestly, just getting the weight of the world off my shoulders and just being able to enjoy this last month with my teammates is the biggest thing,” explained Clark.

Lost in the process a bit this season is all the pressure weighing on Clark. As Spider-Man reminds us, with great power, comes great responsibility.

Clark has transformed college basketball at Iowa more than any other player, and chasing records carries a certain heaviness. However, chasing records is not the biggest drain on Clark.

Head coach Lisa Bluder summed it up perfectly recently. Per Bluder, the decision on whether or not to go pro or come back was “weighing on (Clark).”

“I think that is almost more of a distraction than the scoring record was,” explained Bluder. “I think she’s really kind of burdened by this because she really loves both options, and she knows that someone is going to be disappointed.”

Simply put, that’s no way to play the game you love, especially in the high stakes of March.

With Clark’s decision solidified, the Hawkeyes can unveil a Senior Night for the ages honoring Clark and her fellow teammates. And, barring catastrophe, Sunday’s game will feature another record-breaking performance.

After that, Clark will be free to embark on the NCAA Tournament without the added pressure of a pending decision. Whether or not confirming her future plans allows Clark to play more freely remains to be seen.

But if it does? NCAA Tournament teams, beware.