Caitlin Clark. © Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Sue Bird’s Partner Megan Rapinoe Sends Strong Message on Caitlin Clark

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Robert Marvi | Last updated May 9, 2025 11:11 PM ET

As the start of the 2025 WNBA regular season approaches, the Indiana Fever recently played a preseason game against the Brazilian national team at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, the home arena of the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Fever star Caitlin Clark, of course, made her name as a member of the Hawkeyes from 2021 to 2024. While there, she became the NCAA's all-time leading career scorer, and Iowa marked the spot on the court where she made the shot that gave her that record.

During a podcast, former WNBA star Sue Bird's partner Megan Rapinoe talked about one thing she loves most about Clark.

"I think one of the things I love most about Caitlin the most is her understanding and willingness to meet the moment and do the thing that she knows everyone wants her. She broke the record making that shot to begin with. There's just a certain star quality and star power there."

Sue Bird on Caitlin Clark’s return to Iowa‼️‼️‼️#FeverRising | #NowYouKnow | #WNBA pic.twitter.com/97jfhzTJRA
— Krysta (@Krysta____) May 8, 2025

During that game versus the Brazilian national team, Clark hit a long 3-pointer from the approximate spot where she nailed the shot that gave her the NCAA career scoring record.

It is one thing for someone to be a great athlete. But when a great athlete also plays to the crowd without hurting the team, that athlete seems to have a little something extra to offer his or her sport.

Clark had a marvelous rookie season in the WNBA last year. She averaged 19.2 points and a league-high 8.4 assists a game, and she was not only named the Rookie of the Year, but she also made the All-Star team.

With her help, the Fever improved from a 13-27 record in 2023 to a 20-20 mark and made the playoffs for the first time since 2016. After getting swept in the first round of the playoffs last year, they're being considered championship contenders.

They added veteran forward Natasha Howard, who is a potent scorer, and in last month's draft, they took Makayla Timpson, an excellent frontcourt player from Florida State. Of course, they already had a promising core of Clark, guard Kelsey Mitchell and forward Aliyah Boston.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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