Caitlin Clark Is Already Changing The WNBA: Here Is Why

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Caitlin Clark Is Already Changing The WNBA: Here Is Why

For the past two years, she was the darling of the NCAA or so it seemed. While Caitlin Clark had been making a name for herself since before high school, the general public didn’t seem to jump on the bandwagon until the Des Moines, Iowa native told the rest of the Women’s tournament field that “they couldn’t see her”. 

Following a record-breaking four-year career with the Iowa Hawkeyes in which Clark helped usher in a wave of national attention to women’s basketball that had never been seen before, she would unquestionably move on to the WNBA stage with an even bigger spotlight on her. She left the Hawkeyes being, undoubtedly, one of the best athletes in Iowa women’s basketball history.

As the first overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever, Clark has the weight of a franchise on her young shoulders. 

While she has struggled at times to adapt to the faster, stronger professional game, Clark has also learned how to incorporate being a basketball player and a celebrity. During her first week in the league, Clark made her WNBA debut against the Connecticut Sun, played her first home game in front of the Fever fans, and made her first trip to play at Madison Square Garden. 

Yes, her stats are far from what fans came to expect while playing with the Hawkeyes. Instead of being able to drop 30 points in her sleep, Clark has averaged just 17 points over the first four games, along with 5.7 assists and 4.3 rebounds. Unfortunately, she has also tallied 26 turnovers. Not exactly the start the Fever was hoping for, coming out of the gates 0-4. 

A Change In Strategy

If you watched the pair of Fever and New York Liberty games, you would have noticed that the Liberty attached forward Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, a two-time member of the WNBA’s All-Defensive Team to Clark’s hip. While the WNBA has had plenty of other high-profile rookies, few, if none, have been picked up full court, with or without the ball, for the entire game. 

Knowing full well Clark’s ability to break down defenders off the dribble or launch from a range saved for Steph Curry and Damian Lillard, the number of double teams and full-court pressure that Clark has seen in three games is more than some see in a season. 

Despite becoming the first player in WNBA history to record 21 turnovers in her first three games, one of the few negative records on her resume, Clark at that same time became the league’s second player to tally 50+ points, 15+ assists, and 10+ rebounds in that same span. 

“I know the outside world thinks I’m gonna do some amazing things, but that might take some time,” Clark stated after her first game of the season. 

Currently leading all of the much-heralded 2024 rookie class in scoring and tied for first in assists and steals, Clark also leads the young Fever team in scoring and assists and is tied for first in steals. Not bad for a rookie. 

A Change Of Pace

Just as the NBA has seen a change in playing style over the past couple of years, the WNBA is experiencing one as well. With a new generation of players who are more athletic, more skilled, and want to play at a faster pace, the traditional fundamental style that the WNBA had been known for is undergoing a shift, one that players like Clark will undoubtedly help to usher in. This high-scoring, free-flowing, highlight-reel style filled with long-range shots, fancy passes, and crafty ball handling is right up Clark’s wheelhouse. 

Whereas once the league focused primarily on the collective successes of teams, the WNBA marketing department has a slew of young superstars that while still focused on teamwork and parity, are dominating all media sources on and off of the court.  

A Changing Fanbase

If you turn on the TV, you will notice that there have been more WNBA players featured in commercials, not just during game times, but throughout the day. Constantly in search of marketable stars, Clark’s confidence and vibrant personality, both of which help connect to younger fans, fit the need perfectly. 

While it is not abnormal to see fans of opposing teams wear their favorite player’s merchandise, the amount of #22 shirts, jerseys, and posters that were at each venue spoke volumes as to how popular Clark has become. And let's not look past the fact that the majority of these fans are asking for selfies or autographs from Clark before and after the game, a task that the young star tries to fulfill as much as possible. 

Clark’s impact reaches far beyond the WNBA court as young female athletes have a new role model that they can look up to, one who embodies the joy of the game and has proven that success, regardless of gender, is attainable. 

For as much as she dominated the high school and collegiate stages, Caitlin Clark’s talent, charisma, and work ethic will not only help her change the WNBA but redefine it. 

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