Iowa Basketball: Caitlin Clark shines in professional debut

One of the most highly-anticipated debuts in women’s sports history occurred on Friday night when Iowa native Caitlin Clark took the floor for her Indiana Fever. Clark, who has been the biggest reason for the growth of women’s basketball, dazzled in her opening game.

IOWA CITY, Iowa– One of the most highly-anticipated debuts in women’s sports history occurred on Friday night when Iowa native Caitlin Clark took the floor for her Indiana Fever. Clark, who has been the biggest reason for the growth of women’s basketball, dazzled in her opening game.

Some thought that Clark would have a difficult reality when she got to the WNBA. If that’s going to be the case, she didn’t show any fear during her first game. Less than a month after playing in the national championship, Clark took the court like she never left. Less than a minute into the game, Clark drilled a deep three-pointer from the wing to give the Fever a 5-2 lead.

She exploded for 14 first quarter points, including three three-pointers. Clark did have to create her own shot in isolation, but that’s also where her game is at her best. Her ability to get in and out of moves and utilize a variety of crossovers make her a difficult one-on-one cover. She finished with 21 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals. Clark did have a game-high five turnovers and four fouls, but there’s a lot to be excited about and lessons to be learned.

The Fever would fall 79-76, but there’s a lot of optimism about where the Indiana can go. Aliyah Boston, Erica Wheeler, Nalyssa Smith and Kelsey Mitchell is a solid cast alongside Clark. They have only been practicing together for a short time, but there are reasons to feel good about the team’s trajectory.

“Overall, a lot to learn from,” Clark said. “These are good learning experiences for us. This doesn’t count. Go back and watch the film, film doesn’t lie and learn from that.”

“This is a process, right? We just started practicing on Sunday,” Fever coach Christie Sides said. “We’re still learning each other. She worked really hard to get some shots that she doesn’t need to work so hard for anymore.”

Clark’s rise over the past 14 months has been unlike anything we’ve seen in recent memory. There have been parallels to Tiger Woods and what he did for golf. Despite never winning a national title, Clark has earned praise from some of the legends, including South Carolina coach Dawn Staley

“Caitlin Clark is the sole reason why viewership has shot through the roof for our game — sole reason. The decision makers are following suit in making sure that other games are being played besides Caitlin Clark. Because if you play Caitlin Clark, you’re gonna run up against somebody that you might find is pretty good. We were pretty good. Over 18 million people saw our national championship game. They tuned in to see Caitlin Clark, but what did they get? They got Caitlin Clark, and they got South Carolina. They got Kamilla Cardoso, they got Ashlyn Watkins, they got MiLaysia Fulwiley, they got Tessa Johnson. They got a number of players that they can now cheer for.”

A sold-out preseason game gave Clark an ovation when she was introduced for the first time in the league. She might be in the league now, but the sell outs aren’t going to stop any time soon.

“They are what makes women’s basketball so fun,” Clark said of the fans. “I think over the course of the last couple of years, it’s just growing and growing. And for them to come out and support [me] during my first WNBA game, it’s really special, not only for myself but both teams on the court. They get to see how good this product is.”