Getty Caitlin Clark dribbles during an April 7 game.
Caitlin Clark’s transition from college basketball to the WNBA is going smoothly.
She is already performing ankle-breaking moves and draining half-court shots during Indiana Fever practices, prior to their first preseason game, Dallas Wings, on May 3. They open their regular-season schedule May 14 at the Connecticut Sun.
Yet, when asked about transitioning from college to the WNBA, Clark made it clear that the two levels have their distinct differences.
“It’s fast, fast shot clock,” Clark said of the WNBA, per an April 29 CBS Sports article. “But I think all of you know that’s how I like to play. So, I think it suits my game pretty well.
“It’s a fast pace — a lot faster than college — and you’ve to learn quicker because you’ve got to get your mind on Friday,” she said.
Clark Is a Confirmed Gamer
Video game fans were stoked to hear the Iowa legend say during an April 28 press conference that she’s a fellow gamer as well.
Caitlin Clark was asked what she’s been up to when off the basketball court. She’s a gamer confirmed!
cc: @PlayStation
“I don’t really go out in public and do much,” Clark said, when asked how she’s spending her free time in Indiana. “I watch movies. And I brought my PS5 with me, but I’m staying in a hotel right now, so I haven’t hooked it up or played it at all.”
Social media had a field day with this response.
“Caitlin Clark needs to help me get more wins in Warzone Rebirth Island 🏝️,” one X user wrote.
@CultureCrave Caitlin Clark needs to help me get more wins in Warzone Rebirth Island 🏝️
“What’s your psn? Let’s run Minecraft survival together,” wrote another X user.
@CultureCrave What’s your psn? Let’s run Minecraft survival together.
Though Clark didn’t say what her preferred video games are, she has already mentioned some of her favorite movies.
According to a 2018 article from the Des Moines Register, Clark’s all-time favorite movie is “The Parent Trap,” which stars Lindsay Lohan.
The article also noted that Clark’s preferred fast food franchise is Chick-fil-A. Back in high school, she would eat breakfast at Chick-fil-A twice a week before classes began.
Then she would grab a Snapple from her school’s lunchroom.
Aside from video games and movies, Clark is an avid golfer, according to a 2023 Golf Digest story, playing as many as four times a week during the offseason.
“You can clear your mind, do something you really love, and have the peace and quiet of just your friends around or even just yourself,” Clark said, according to the magazine. “I love being able to escape reality for a little bit.”
How Will The Fever Fare This Season?
Clark’s rookie season projections show that she’s expected to succeed this year. Yet, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the Indiana Fever will compete for a championship this season.
Indiana finished the 2023 WNBA season with a 13-27 record, missing the playoffs for the seventh straight season.
VSiN.com is projecting that the Fever will win 19.5 games in 2024, which would be a considerable jump from last year.
The most recent DraftKings WNBA Championship odds have the Fever as +2500 to win the 2024 title. This gives them the sixth-best odds out of any team.
The two-time defending champion Las Vegas Aces have the best odds, at +100. Then the New York Liberty are right behind them, at +250.
But the combination of Clark and Aliyah Boston could make the Fever dark horse candidates for a postseason push.
Even if they don’t make a run at the title, Indiana will still receive a lot of attention this season.