Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark is going to do a lot of great things in her nascent professional career. Before she can even take the floor and launch her first shot from way downtown, WNBA fans are already feeling her tremendous impact on women’s basketball. Despite her skyrocketing fame and already impressive basketball resume, Clark remains grounded and classy on and off the court.
“I think it’s just learning from the amazing people that I have around me and having a lot of fun — but also like, ‘Don’t lose who I am.’ That’s what’s gotten me to this point,” Clark said during her introductory press conference on Wednesday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse when she answered a question from
James Boyd of The Athletic “about chasing greatness while giving herself grace.”
Even before Clark said that, she already excused that kind of grace and humility during her opening statement at the press conference.
“I’m really excited to be here. I’ve never had to give an opening statement before, so this is a first for me — and a large crowd,” she said.
“Like I said, I’m super happy to be here. Thank you to the Fever, the Pacers — this is a dream come true. These are the moments you dream of. Obviously, Tamika is here. That’s pretty incredible. Someone I grew up idolizing.
The Caitlin Clark Has Begun Not Just for the Indiana Fever, but for the WNBA
Selected No. 1 overall by the Fever in last Monday’s 2024 WNBA Draft, Clark is expected to be a big part of the solution for Indiana, which finished last season third-worst in the standings with just a 13-27 record. All eyes are going to be on Clark wherever she and the Indiana play, and that should be a big boost for at least some of the league’s key economic metrics.
Clark is likely to make her WNBA debut on May 14 when the Fever visit the Connecticut Sun.
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