Inside the Shoe Game of Iowa Basketball Star Caitlin Clark

PHOTO: HAWKEYESPORTS.COM

Caitlin Clark shined in the national spotlight this season during Iowa’s run to the NCAA Tournament title game, dazzling audiences with her elite court vision and sharpshooting from halfcourt. She’s widely considered to be the face of college basketball now as she concludes her record-breaking senior season, being celebrated as NCAA Division I’s all-time leading scorer with Nike billboards from New York to Los Angeles.

Clark inked an NIL deal with Nike in October 2022 and has represented the brand on the court during every major milestone of her career. “I grew up watching Nike athletes across all sports play their game,” said Clark. “They have inspired me to work hard and make a difference.”

Clark will possibly sign a more lucrative contract with Nike once she turns pro following the 2024 WNBA Draft on April 15, when she is expected to go as the No. 1 pick to the Indiana Fever. As Clark prepares for the next level, let’s look back at some of the Nike shoes that the Hawkeye superstar has worn in big moments throughout her legendary senior season.

PHOTO: OWEN AANESTAD/HAWKEYESPORTS.COM

Sabrina 1 (Ionic)

Clark wore shoes named after fellow 3-point shooter Sabrina Ionescu in November at home against Kansas State. Ionescu, a New York Liberty guard, holds the NCAA women’s record for triple-doubles (Clark is second) and was the No. 1 overall WNBA draft pick in 2020.

PHOTO: STEPHEN MALLY/HAWKEYESPORTS.COM

Sabrina 1 (Pink and Yellow)

Clark again supported Ionescu by wearing a pink pair of shoes from her line while becoming the Big Ten’s all-time assist leader in December at home against Minnesota. Clark also wore a custom yellow version of the sneakers in January at home against Wisconsin, giving them away to a fan after the game.

PHOTO: BRIAN RAY/HAWKEYESPORTS.COM

Kobe 6 Proto Mambacita Sweet 16s

Away at Nebraska in February, Clark celebrated girls and women in sports by wearing black and white Mambacita Sweet 16s. The shoes honor NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi, advocates for the sport who were killed in a January 2020 helicopter crash.

PHOTO: OWEN AANESTAD/HAWKEYESPORTS.COM

Kobe 5 Proto Bruce Lee

Clark’s Bruce Lee sneakers are a staple of her attire at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. They pay tribute to Lee’s characters in the films Game of Death and Enter the Dragon. Clark notably wore the sneakers while breaking the NCAA women’s basketball career scoring record in February at home against Michigan. While she has worn many variations from the Nike Kobe line, the Kobe 5 Proto Bruce Lee appears to be one of her favorites, as the colors most seamlessly match Hawkeye black and gold. She often wears them in her biggest moments, such as during the 2023 and 2024 NCAA title games.

PHOTO: BRIAN RAY/HAWKEYESPORTS.COM

Kobe 6 Proto Grinch

Clark wore these flashy green sneakers, named after the grouchy Dr. Seuss character, for road victories against Rutgers and Maryland. Most notably, the shoes made the trip to Minnesota this past February when Clark surpassed former Kansas star Lynette Woodard to become the all-time leading scorer in women’s college basketball history.

PHOTO: BRIAN RAY/HAWKEYESPORTS.COM

Kobe 6 Proto Playoff Pack White del Sol

In March, Clark broke LSU legend Pete Maravich’s record to make history as the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer. She celebrated a Senior Day victory over Ohio State in these Hawkeye-colored kicks.

PHOTO: STEPHEN MALLY/HAWKEYESPORTS.COM

Kobe 6 Proto Reverse Grinch

Clark signs autographs and even gives away her sneakers at the end of basketball games. Her hands-on approach to connecting with young fans help them dream that they too may one day walk in her shoes. Here, Clark is pictured after a win over Loyola this past winter giving her Reverse Grinch shoes to a girl whose birthday wish to attend her first Hawkeye women’s basketball game exceeded all expectations.