PHOENIX—Caitlin Clark, the rookie star for the Indiana Fever, declared, “I’m on vacation!” as soon as she entered the press conference room for her post-WNBA All-Star Game media availability.
She made the assembled reporters laugh a lot, but she wouldn’t say what she planned to do during her Olympic vacation. After an incredible collegiate career, Clark entered the WNBA during a time of unparalleled development and attention, much of which she has been responsible for.
However, when questioned about the WNBA’s increasing appeal and her feelings about being a part of it all, she said that this is what the players who have established the league have long deserved.
For the guys that have been in this league for a very long time, to have opportunities and moments like this is extremely meaningful and wonderful because they deserve it. Though I think we’re only beginning to scrape the surface, it’s been a long time coming,” Clark remarked. “The new media rights agreement will be beneficial. It’s just going to get better day by day and year by year, and it will provide everyone with a chance to witness firsthand how excellent professional women’s basketball is.
The WNBA is set to expand with two new teams in the next two seasons. The Golden State Valkyries will start play in 2025 and be followed in 2026 by a Toronto team that has not yet been named. More players will have opportunities thanks to the additional roster spaces, and the new organisations will be able to expand the game into new markets.
That will only contribute to the league’s expansion. It will draw in more attention and introduce us to other markets, according to Clark. “Everyone is aware of the exceptional skill at the collegiate level. Because there are so many supporters of college basketball, you want to keep bringing those supporters here and bringing more of those players into the league.
At the WNBA All-Star Game at Footprint Centre in Phoenix on July 20, 2024, guard Caitlin Clark of Team WNBA searches for an open teammate against guard Chelsea Grey of Team USA, continuing her Rookie of the Year campaign.
Republic/Patrick Breen/USA NETWORK TODAY
After the Olympics, in mid-August, the WNBA season will restart, and Caitlin Clark will be back with the Fever to pursue her Rookie of the Year campaign. She is currently engaged in a fierce struggle with Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese. At the All-Star Game, the two were teammates, and to the joy of the crowd, they even connected on a play.
Clark finished with just four points on 2-of-9 shooting and 0 of 7 from the three-point line at the All-Star Game. However, she contributed 10 assists, which greatly aided Team WNBA in her new role as starting point guard.
Clark has participated in 26 Fever games thus far, averaging just over 35 minutes per contest. With 40.5 percent shooting from the field, 32.7 percent from the three-point line, and 89.1 percent from the free-throw line, she has been averaging 17.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists, and 1.5 steals.
Clark and her Fever colleague Aliyah Boston became the first two rookies to start a WNBA All-Star game since Schoni Schimmel did it in 2013 when Clark was selected as the starting point guard for Team WNBA at the 2024 All-Star Game in 2023.