Why Not Fever’s Caitlin Clark Embraces WNBA Challenge Ahead of Debut Against Wings

The Indiana Fever famous person is ready to hit the WNBA courtroom for the primary time throughout a preseason-opening matchup in opposition to the Dallas Wings on Friday, Could 3, at 8 p.m. ET. The sport, hosted at Faculty Park Middle on the UT-Arlington campus, marks a big milestone for Clark, the primary general decide within the 2024 WNBA Draft lower than a month in the past.

The anticipation is palpable to see school basketball’s all-time main scorer in motion. The 7,000-seat enviornment rapidly offered out, a uncommon feat for a WNBA preseason recreation, underscoring the thrill surrounding Clark’s debut.

Clark shared that she most popular to make her WNBA debut at dwelling, enjoying in entrance of Fever followers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, however she’s excited nonetheless.

“I’d’ve preferred to begin at dwelling, however simply throw me out into the fireplace, why not,” Clark told the IndyStar. reporters after the Fever’s morning shootaround. “It’ll be enjoyable, and it’ll be an important crowd, as at all times,” she added.

The Fever is seeking to this recreation as a chance to check new methods and lineups, and Indiana coach Christie Sides expressed her enthusiasm for the 2024 season’s alternatives.

“That is what we’ve been ready on. I imply, it’s gonna be enjoyable,” Sides stated. “So we’re going to embrace it. I imply, we’re gonna come out right here, and we’re gonna, you understand, our purpose is to be the hardest-playing staff within the league.”

Clark is ready for her first actual WNBA problem and is ready for the surprising. It’ll mark the start of her acclimation course of to the skilled stage by taking up exterior competitors after going by way of her first coaching camp together with her new Fever teammates.

“Clearly, there’s a lot you are able to do in apply, however you grow to be very conversant in what different groups are doing,” Clark stated. “They’ll do some stuff that we don’t do. Coming into this recreation, you may scout and know some issues of what they’re going to do, however they’re going to do some new stuff, they’re going to do some completely different stuff, however I feel greater than something, coaches stated, ‘Don’t be stunned by something they do.’”

Concerning any potential objectives of their preseason match, Clark emphasised the necessity to play laborious and as a collective as an alternative of attempting to hit any statistical benchmarks.

“I don’t assume it’s about numbers,” Clark stated. “It’s in regards to the really feel on the courtroom. I need to be certain that I depart every thing on the courtroom and play with the center and hustle that I’ve at all times delivered to my recreation.”

Curiously, Caitlin Clark will likely be experiencing this profession milestone with out her household within the stands, a brand new actuality for the skilled athlete. Her household opted to relaxation after a busy season of journey, however they are going to be cheering her on from afar.

“They’ll be watching on TV,” Clark talked about. “I’m flying solo tonight, and I higher get used to it—that is the professionals. That is my job.”

The Fever will open the common season on Could 14 in a matchup in opposition to the Connecticut Solar. Clark will debut her Fever dwelling in opposition to Sabrina Ionescu and the New York Liberty on Could 16.