A generational talent like the former Iowa Hawkeyes superstar and Caitlin Clark, current Indiana Fever icon is impossible to replace.

There was no way Iowa could find someone who could do what Clark does on the field, because there is no one else in the world who can do what Clark does on the field ( apart from her), both in the NCAA and in the WNBA. .

However, the Hawkeyes found as good a replacement as they could have hoped for.

Former Villanova star Lucy Olsen transferred to Iowa this past offseason after spending the first three seasons of her NCAA career with the Wildcats.

In his 2023-24 campaign, Olsen’s 23.2 points per game with Villanova were fourth in the countryonly behind Clark (31.9), USC Trojans icon JuJu Watkins (27.0) and Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo (23.3)

Olsen made his regular season debut for the Hawkeyes against Northern Illinois on Wednesday and scored 19 points while adding 7 assists.

According to Hawkeyes Associate Director of Strategic Communications Bailey TurnerOlsen’s 19 points on Wednesday were “the second most by any Iowa player in a team debut in the last 25 seasons, behind Caitlin Clark’s 27 against Northern Iowa in 2020.”

Olsen was a guest on the podcast “Sometimes I hoop” with Atlanta Dream player Haley Jones. At one point in their conversation, Olsen revealed the words of support Clark had given her.

“I talked to Caitlin (Clark) a little bit,” Olsen said. “She’s very nice. She says ‘tell me if you need anything. I’m always here. I’ve been through a lot and I got you.’

Clearly, Clark is pouring himself into his old program, continuing the unprecedented success he experienced during his time there.