Nobody wanted to be the one to follow Caitlin Clark. Seriously, think about the pressure. You’re stepping into a building where the logo is basically hallowed ground and the fans expect a Final Four run every time the bus leaves the lot. But Lucy Olsen didn't just take the job; she kind of made it look easy, even when it definitely wasn’t.
When Lucy Olsen Iowa basketball became a reality via the transfer portal in early 2024, the narrative was immediate. People called her "the replacement." They looked at her 23.3 points per game at Villanova and figured the Hawkeyes just went out and bought a new scoring machine to keep the engine humming. But if you actually watched the 2024-2025 season unfold, you saw something much more nuanced than a simple plug-and-play substitution.
The Villanova Scoring Machine Meets Carver-Hawkeye
Coming out of Collegeville, Pennsylvania, Olsen was already a star. She was third in the nation in scoring during her junior year at Villanova. Only Clark and JuJu Watkins were ahead of her. That’s elite company.
When she hit the portal, it was like speed dating. LSU was calling. Major programs were circling. But Olsen chose Iowa because she wanted a place that truly valued women's hoops. She also stepped into a massive leadership vacuum. Remember, Iowa didn't just lose Caitlin; they lost Kate Martin’s grit, Gabbie Marshall’s defense, and Molly Davis’s steady hand.
Basically, the entire soul of the team graduated.
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Breaking Down the 2024-2025 Campaign
Olsen’s transition wasn’t a straight line up. There was a rough patch in January where the Hawkeyes dropped five straight games. People started whispering. Is she the right fit? Can she handle the Big Ten physicality?
Then came the Nebraska game on February 10th.
Olsen went off for 32 points, adding 6 rebounds and 7 assists. It was the moment she stopped being "the transfer" and became the leader. She ended her lone season in Iowa City averaging 17.9 points, 5.1 assists, and 6.9 rebounds per game. Those aren't just "good" numbers—they are All-Big Ten First Team numbers.
Different Styles, Same Heart
The biggest misconception is that Olsen tried to be Clark 2.0. She didn't.
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While Caitlin was famous for those "logo threes" that felt like they were coming from a different zip code, Lucy's game is built on a lethal mid-range jumper. She’s a surgeon in the paint. She uses her 5-foot-10 frame to navigate screens and pull up from 15 feet with a release that's almost impossible to block.
Honestly, her demeanor is what won the fans over. Clark was fire and technical fouls (we loved it, don't get me wrong). Olsen is all smiles. She plays with this weirdly calm joy, even when she’s dropping a double-double on your head.
- Career Milestone: She eclipsed 2,000 career points while wearing the Black and Gold.
- Postseason Prowess: Against Murray State in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, she put up 12 points and 12 assists.
- WNBA Bound: All that hard work paid off when the Washington Mystics took her 23rd overall in the 2025 Draft.
Why the "Replacement" Label is Insulting
Calling her a replacement ignores what she actually did. She didn't replace a legend; she bridged a gap. She allowed players like Hannah Stuelke and Addison O’Grady to keep developing without the program falling into a "rebuilding" basement.
Iowa still sold out Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The "Olsen Effect" proved that the culture Lisa Bluder built—and Jan Jensen continued—was bigger than just one player. Lucy was the proof of concept. She showed that Iowa is now a destination for the best players in the country, period.
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Looking Toward the WNBA and Beyond
Now, Lucy is grinding with the Washington Mystics. Her rookie season in 2025 has been a learning curve—averaging about 4.0 points in limited minutes off the bench—but that’s the pro jump for you. She also signed to play for the Townsville Fire in Australia during the WNBA offseason. The girl just doesn't stop playing basketball.
If you’re looking for actionable ways to follow her journey or understand her impact on the game, here is what you need to do:
- Watch the Mid-Range: If you’re a young player, stop hunting 30-footers. Watch Olsen's tape from the Nebraska or Murray State games. Her footwork in the "short corner" is a masterclass in efficiency.
- Follow the Mystics Transition: The WNBA is in a massive growth phase. Keep an eye on how Washington integrates her scoring as they rebuild. Her ability to play both guard spots makes her a long-term asset in the league.
- Support the WNBL: If you want to see her as a primary option again, check out the Townsville Fire highlights. The international game often allows WNBA rookies to regain the "alpha" scoring role they had in college.
Lucy Olsen's time at Iowa was short—just one year—but it was heavy. She saved the program from a post-superstar hangover and proved she was one of the toughest players to ever wear the jersey. She didn't need to be Caitlin Clark. Being Lucy Olsen was more than enough.