From the 2025 WNBA draft to the ongoing NBA playoffs, Caitlin Clark has been making noise everywhere this year! Whether it is about exploring the infamous Reese-Clark dynamics as a media-induced rivalry or comparing the 2024 #1 overall pick to rookie Paige Bueckers, the Indiana Fever star has constantly been in the headlines. And if you were the top student of your class, you would know how she feels.
And this is nothing new for her. At Iowa, too, all eyes were on her. She made sure they didn’t look down on her by becoming the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer in both men’s and women’s categories. So, it made sense why not only Iowa natives, but even legends from all fields, like Maya Moore and Travis Scott, wanted to watch her dominance in person. Add in Stephen Curry, who cannot help but watch when she plays, almost always reminded of himself because of her release time. Maybe that is why she has been called the ‘Stephen Curry of Women’s Basketball’ so often.
LeBron James, who often finds himself in the GOAT debate just like Clark, has not shied away from speaking his mind either. Just like Caitlin, he had his fair share of doubters who wished and wished he’d fail, and so Clark has his support 100%. “I’m rooting for Caitlin because I’ve been in that seat before,” James said. “I’ve walked that road before”.
Now, in the recent wake of events, another name has been added to the list of legends who love Clark. The official Clark Report account posted a video on X, featuring an interview with Luka Doncic, where interviewer Caleb Pressley asked Luka to name his favorite basketball player from the women’s team. Looking straight into Pressley’s eyes with a faint and unwavering smile, a seemingly confident Luka replied, ‘Caitlin Clark’. No hesitation, just pure confidence. However, when Pressley pressed questions regarding Paige Bueckers, Doncic admitted that he hasn’t watched Bueckers play in the WNBA. The shrug when Pressley said she (Bueckers) just got drafted…to Dallas, well, yeah, it said a lot. So, we know who he’d be rooting for when the two phenoms from the class of 2020 meet each other on the pro court this year.
But such off-the-cuff praises come with a side effect: even more pressure. Being likened to Steph Curry is nice until you realize everyone now expects you to casually drop 40 points while tying your shoes. Clark was already carrying the weight of a franchise, but Luka’s comment just reinforced the “handle the crown queen” narrative, and we all know it’s heavy. With matchups against the super-team New York Liberty and rising forces like Dallas Wing already being circled in red, it would be no surprise if she starts spending an extra two hours in the gym.
However, she is the only Caitlin Clark who had been manifesting a basketball career in third grade. She is the only Clark whose childhood dream board included earning a basketball scholarship and playing in the WNBA. She is the only Clark who played on the boys’ soccer team till sixth grade and even went on to win MVP one year. So, we are sure whenever she feels overwhelmed, she might just bake a brownie, eat it, and then eat everyone else on the court. But, yes, pressure without any relief is never good for a rookie. That is why the Fever made significant changes this offseason, to build their roster around their star players.
The Indiana Fever has some of the finest talent ruling the roster. With key players like Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell, and DeWanna Bonner, the team entered its first day of training camp. Post the training, a reporter questioned Aliyah Boston about the team’s attitude and expectations.
She did not use grand words and put it as simply as possible, saying, “I don’t think the expectations have changed for the Fever,” an energetic Boston said. “It’s about winning, to be able to be at the top of the league and come home with that ring. I feel like every year you go into a new season, that is your expectation.”
Talking about her gameplay and on-court partnership with Clark, Boston confessed to her improved chemistry with her teammate. She even warned that the strong partnership should be enough to scare off the entire league. “I think it’s gonna be better for both of us. Last year, obviously, at the beginning of the season it was a little rough just trying to figure out that play. But now, know exactly how we like to play,” Boston said.
