After becoming the NCAA's all-time leading scorer during her four seasons with the Iowa Hawkeyes, Caitlin Clark made a seemingly easy transition to the WNBA.
Selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, Clark led the Indiana Fever to the postseason for the first time in eight years, averaging 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 8.4 assists,. She also won the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year and was named to the All-WNBA first team.
On Sunday, Clark made her highly anticipated return to Carver-Hawkeye Arena, playing in her first game at Iowa since her senior season (2023-24). Facing the Brazilian National Team, Clark will be playing in front of yet another sold-out crowd.
Before the exhibition began, Clark sat down for a pregame press conference, discussing her return to Iowa City to play in front of a familiar crowd. During one question, Clark had a warning for the WNBA officials, telling them to "swallow their whistle," according to USA Today's Meghan L. Hall.
"Wouldn't be Caitlin Clark if she didn't mention the refs," Hall wrote on X. "Just briefly mentioned them needing to 'swallow their whistle.' I'm cracking up. Said it stone-faced."
Wouldn't be Caitlin Clark if she didn't mention the refs.
— Meghan L. Hall (@ItsMeghanLHall) May 4, 2025
Just briefly mentioned them needing to "swallow their whistle."
I'm cracking up. Said it stone-faced.
Along with her return to Iowa, Clark will also be making her 2025 preseason debut. On Saturday, Clark was forced to sit out with a leg injury as the Fever defeated the Washington Mystics, 79-74 in overtime, thanks to six late free throws.
Following the battle against Brazil, Clark and the Fever will finish the preseason on Saturday, facing Brittney Griner and the Atlanta Dream on the road. They will open the regular season against the Chicago Sky on May 17.
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