Lucy Olsen set to fill the big shoes of Caitlin Clark at Iowa.
From Villanova to Iowa, Olsen’s ready to slam dunk her final college season and chase her pro dreams
Lucy Olsen, formerly a standout guard for the Villanova Wildcats, has announced her transfer to the Iowa Hawkeyes, setting the stage for a high-profile replacement of Caitlin Clark, the Hawkeyes’ record-setting guard. The move was confirmed through a spirited announcement on social media Wednesday, sparking excitement among Iowa fans.
Olsen’s decision comes at a crucial time for Iowa’s women’s basketball program, as they look to fill the void left by Clark, who recently set several scoring records.
With an impressive average of 23.3 points per game, Olsen was the third-highest scorer in the country last season, trailing only behind USC’s JuJu Watkins and Caitlin Clark herself. Besides her scoring prowess, Olsen also brings strong rebounding and assisting skills to the Hawkeyes, averaging 4.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists.
Iowa’s coach, Lisa Bluder, celebrated Olsen’s commitment with a creative social media video that featured her in a montage with rapper Travis Scott, symbolizing a grand entrance for Olsen. The viral clip quickly spread among fans and was a hit on Iowa’s X page.
— Iowa Women's Basketball (@IowaWBB) April 17, 2024
The recruitment of Olsen was swift, with Coach Bluder contacting her immediately after she entered the transfer portal on April 9. “Coach Bluder called me right away,” Olsen shared. “I hopped on a Zoom call with the staff, and they were the nicest people ever. They felt like family.”
Lucy Olsen: Embracing new challenges and opportunities at Iowa
Olsen’s journey from Villanova, where she earned first-team All-Big East honors and scored over 1,500 points across three seasons, to Iowa, represents a significant transition in her collegiate career. Citing a desire to compete at a higher level and prepare for a professional career, Olsen believes Iowa’s thriving basketball scene is the perfect setting for her final collegiate season.
“I’m not trying to be Caitlin Clark, but they need a point guard,” Olsen said, acknowledging the inevitable comparisons. “It’s a perfect opportunity to try to make something happen.”
As Iowa prepares for the upcoming season, all eyes will be on Olsen to see if she can match or even surpass the high standards set by Clark. Her integration into the Hawkeyes’ lineup is eagerly anticipated, with expectations for her to immediately start producing significant results on the court.
