In a world where torch-passing usually involves fire and drama, Caitlin Clark just got hers in the most legendary way possible—directly from one of the WNBA’s greatest players ever. Yes, folks, the Indiana Fever’s sharpshooting sensation has officially earned the seal of approval from none other than Lisa Leslie, the first woman to dunk in a professional game. It’s like Michael Jordan blessing LeBron, except with way more finesse and fewer gambling scandals.
Clark’s rookie season in the WNBA has been nothing short of a basketball fairytale with a splash of thriller. She catapulted from an illustrious college career right into the pros, barely pausing to take a breath. Forget about those rookie jitters—Clark tossed them aside faster than a fast break. Currently, she’s got the Indiana Fever sitting pretty in a playoff spot, all while leading the league in assists, ranking 13th in defensive rebounds, and securing the 8th spot in total points. At just 22 years old, she’s already looking like the superstar you’d expect from someone who redefined the college game.
But wait, it gets better. Lisa Leslie, the WNBA’s queen before it was cool, threw some major props Clark’s way this Thursday. And no, it wasn’t because Clark broke one of Leslie’s own records (though that would’ve been juicy). Instead, Clark shattered the WNBA rookie record for most three-pointers in a single season during a thrilling victory over the Connecticut Sun. Talk about shooting for the stars and hitting the sun!
Leslie, a two-time WNBA champion and three-time MVP, clearly sees something special in Clark—maybe a little bit of her younger self, minus the slam dunks. It was a symbolic gesture, passing the torch to a new generation, even though this one isn’t as easy to extinguish as Leslie’s legendary flame.
So, as Clark continues her rise to the top, chasing those WNBA MVPs and championship rings, she does so with the full backing of a true icon. If Clark plays her cards right, she might just find herself in Leslie’s shoes, or better yet, designing her own brand of sneakers that dunk on the competition.
But for now, the WNBA should brace itself, because with Lisa Leslie’s torch in hand, Caitlin Clark is about to set the league on fire—literally and figuratively. Stay tuned, because this is only the beginning.