Before the sell-out crowds at Gainbridge Fieldhouse or the sea of black and gold at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Caitlin Clark was just a kid in West Des Moines putting on a maroon jersey. Honestly, it’s wild to think about now. Back then, she wasn't wearing the iconic No. 22 that’s currently hanging in the rafters at the University of Iowa. No, during her four-year reign at Dowling Catholic High School, she was known for the No. 11.
It’s the jersey she wore while dropping 60 points in a single game against Mason City. It's the jersey she wore while cementing herself as a five-star recruit long before the "Caitlin Clark Effect" became a measurable economic phenomenon. For collectors and die-hard fans, the Caitlin Clark high school jersey represents the origin story of a player who didn't just break records—she broke the way we watch women’s sports.
The Story Behind No. 11 at Dowling Catholic
You’ve probably seen the photos. A younger, slightly leaner Clark with her hair in a ponytail, sporting a maroon and white Dowling Catholic uniform. People always ask: why 11? While she famously chose 22 later in life as a nod to her January 22nd birthday, her high school years were defined by that double-one.
She wasn't just a basketball player there. She was a two-sport standout. Most people forget she was an All-State soccer player as a freshman. She wore No. 11 on the pitch, too.
There's something raw about those high school years. She was already shooting from the logo. She was already making passes so fast her teammates sometimes struggled to catch them. If you look at her senior stats—33.7 points per game—it becomes clear that the jersey she was wearing was basically a target for every defense in Iowa. They knew what was coming. They just couldn't stop it.
What Most People Get Wrong About Her High School Career
A common misconception is that Caitlin Clark won everything in high school because she’s, well, Caitlin Clark.
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The truth is a bit more human. She actually never won a high school state title. Despite being a two-time Iowa Gatorade Player of the Year and a McDonald’s All-American, that championship eluded her at the prep level.
Does that make the Caitlin Clark high school jersey less valuable?
Hardly.
In fact, it adds to the lore. It’s the jersey of a "striving" superstar. It represents the "hunger" phase. When she didn't make the USA Basketball U17 roster after her sophomore year, she used that jersey as a reminder to work harder. Her coach at Dowling, Kristen Meyer, often talks about how Clark’s "quick trigger" was there from day one. Whether she had a green light or not, she was shooting. Usually, it went in.
Tracking Down an Authentic Replica: A Fan's Minefield
If you're looking to buy a Caitlin Clark high school jersey today, you have to be careful. Because Nike and Fanatics primarily focus on her professional Indiana Fever gear and her collegiate Iowa legacy, the high school apparel market is mostly dominated by secondary "tribute" creators.
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Here is the reality of the market right now:
- Custom Replicas: You’ll find a lot of "custom" Dowling Catholic style jerseys on sites like Etsy or specialized sports boutiques. They usually feature the maroon and white colorway with the stitched No. 11.
- The "Portnoy" Effect: Barstool Sports CEO Dave Portnoy was famously gifted a Dowling Catholic jersey by former NFL coach Jon Gruden. This sparked a massive surge in interest for the vintage look.
- Official Dowling Gear: Dowling Catholic themselves occasionally sells "Maroon Crew" apparel, but they don't typically mass-produce Clark’s specific player jersey for the general public.
When shopping, look for the maroon and white colors. If you see a Dowling jersey with the number 22, just know it’s a "fusion" item. She wore 11 in high school. Period.
The Technical Specs of the Original
The actual jerseys Clark wore at Dowling were standard high-performance prep uniforms. They weren't the "Vapor" tech she wears in the WNBA today. They were durable, mid-weight mesh designed for the humidity of an Iowa gym in February.
- Colors: Maroon (primary) and White (accents/secondary).
- Numbering: Block-style 11, usually heat-pressed or tackle twill depending on the season.
- Branding: Dowling Catholic across the chest in a classic collegiate font.
Why Collectors Are Scrambling for Dowling Memorabilia
The value of anything related to Clark is skyrocketing. While her 2022 Bowman University rookie card sold for six figures, her high school memorabilia is the "rare" frontier.
Most of her original game-worn jerseys are either with her family or held by the school. If a genuine game-worn Caitlin Clark high school jersey ever hit the open auction market, experts suggest it could rival the prices of legendary male athletes. Why? Because she represents a paradigm shift. She is the "first" of her kind in terms of marketability in the NIL and WNBA crossover era.
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How to Style the High School Look
Honestly, the high school jersey has become a bit of a fashion statement in Des Moines and beyond. It’s a "if you know, you know" piece of fan gear. Wearing the No. 22 Hawkeye jersey says you’re a fan. Wearing the No. 11 Dowling jersey says you were there from the beginning.
It pairs best with:
- Standard denim (the classic Iowa look).
- The custom Nike varsity jackets she’s been seen wearing (the one with the Dowling, Iowa, and Fever logos).
- A healthy dose of confidence when you pull up for a 30-foot jumper at the local park.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Collectors
If you're serious about owning a piece of this history, here is how you should proceed:
- Verify the Number: Only buy No. 11 if you want a historically accurate Dowling Catholic replica. If it says 22, it’s a "tribute" piece that mixes her college number with her high school colors.
- Check the Fabric: Most high-quality replicas use 100% recycled polyester with moisture-wicking tech. Avoid the cheap "shiny" plastic-feeling mesh often found on low-tier knockoff sites.
- Support the Foundation: If you want to honor her legacy, consider looking into the Caitlin Clark Foundation. While they don't sell high school jerseys directly, they represent the values she built while wearing that maroon uniform.
- Look for "Drop" Announcements: Occasionally, specialized sports apparel companies like Headgear Classics or local Iowa boutiques do limited runs of "legend" high school jerseys. Set alerts for "Caitlin Clark Dowling Jersey" on secondary marketplaces.
The No. 11 jersey might be retired in the hearts of Dowling fans, but its influence is just getting started. It’s a reminder that every legend starts somewhere—usually in a crowded high school gym with a dream and a very long range.