Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images

NBA Champion Admits He Was Starstruck By Caitlin Clark

Originally posted on The Spun | By Kameron Duncan | Last updated Apr 2, 2025 7:43 PM ET

Caitlin Clark was a box-office attraction during her college career at Iowa, and she carried that popularity into her rookie season with the Indiana Fever. Clark set records on the floor as one of the WNBA's best point guards, and she packed stadiums and set new television records for ratings.

Fans arrived to arenas and they tuned in on TV to watch Clark, and that includes fans from all walks of life. Clark routinely drew former players and even some current NBA stars like Tyrese Haliburton to her games.

One NBA champion recently had the opportunity to meet Clark, and he says that despite his own incredible accomplishment, he was a fan first when it came to the Indiana Fever star.

"When I was Indy... the only thing I remember about Indy is, when I was leaving the Gainbridge Arena in the loading dock, Caitlin Clark walked right by me. And I froze. I didn't say hello to her. How about that?," said former Los Angeles Lakers star Mychal Thompson in an interview with OutKick's Dan Dakich.

Mychal Thompson, former 1st overall pick in the 1978 NBA Draft, was STARSTRUCK when meeting Caitlin Clark:

"Caitlin Clark walked right by me and I froze... My favorite basketball player outside of Klay [Thompson] was right there in front of me... and I said 'No, I can't do it'… pic.twitter.com/qPIE3VOHyW
— OutKick (@Outkick) April 2, 2025

Thompson is no stranger to basketball royalty, as he won two championships as a member of the "Showtime" Lakers in the 1980s. Thompson, a former No. 1 overall pick in his own right, played alongside names like Magic Johnson and James Worthy during his career.

"My favorite basketball player outside of [my son] Klay was right there in front of me, there she was, and I said 'No, I can't [say something]'... But that's what I remember most about Indiana. Caitlin Clark was right there next to me."

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 20: Mychal Thompson participates in the broadcast before the game between the LA Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers on October 20, 2022 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)Adam Pantozzi/Getty Images

As Thompson mentioned, his son Klay was also a first round pick who became an All-Star and a multi-time champion, but it seems that his popularity pales in comparison to Clark's - even among his own father.

Clark and the Fever will give fans plenty of chances to see them live this season, as 41 of their 44 regular season games will be nationally televised.

Clark was appointment viewing for fans in her rookie year, and she'll look to follow it up with an even better campaign for the Fever in year two.

We'll see how things progress for Clark in her second WNBA season, and we'll find out if any more NBA legends or notable names acknowledge her popularity this season as she continues her takeover of the league.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: