Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever’s reigning Rookie of the Year and all-around basketball sensation, isn’t taking it easy this offseason—unless you count her golf swing, which might rival her three-point shot. While most of us were figuring out how to avoid the gym after New Year’s resolutions, Clark’s been grinding away, preparing to set the WNBA ablaze once again in her sophomore season. But let’s be real—when isn’t Caitlin Clark setting things ablaze?
Since the Fever’s disappointing first-round playoff exit (thanks, Connecticut Sun—way to ruin the fun), Clark has been living her best offseason life. We’re talking everything from hitting the links in full golf-mode to dancing the night away at Indiana Pacers’ galas. And for all you dancing critics out there, yes, apparently ballers can boogie too.
But just because she’s tearing up the dance floor doesn’t mean Clark is slacking. The gym is where she thrives, and she’s fully committed to upgrading her basketball arsenal. In a video shared by the Indiana Fever (gotta love those carefully crafted PR moments), Clark dropped the kind of line that’ll make any opposing defender sweat: “I feel like I’m just scratching the surface.” Seriously, just scratching the surface? What are you, the basketball equivalent of a superhero origin story?
3×3 League? Caitlin Clark in Messi Territory?!
As if that wasn’t enough to make WNBA fans do a double-take, there’s a juicy rumor floating around that Clark might be getting an offer bigger than your favorite NBA star’s sneaker deal. Yep, the Unrivaled 3×3 basketball league—yeah, that one everyone’s buzzing about—wants to scoop her up for its inaugural season. And they’re not just offering pocket change. According to reports, the deal could be as fat as the one Lionel Messi got when he joined the MLS. Messi who? If Clark signs this, she’ll basically be the Messi of women’s basketball (or even better, because, you know…she’s Caitlin freakin’ Clark).
But despite the eye-watering cash on the table, Clark isn’t about to let anything pull her focus away from her No. 1 love: basketball. “There’s so much I want to improve on,” she said, essentially doubling down on her ‘Gym Rat of the Year’ status. Watch out, WNBA. A more polished, deadlier Clark is coming to town, and she’s not messing around.
Clark’s Rookie Rollercoaster: The Hype Was Real
Let’s rewind a bit to her rookie season. Caitlin Clark came into the WNBA with more hype than a Marvel movie, and guess what? She exceeded it. Rookie of the Year? Check. All-WNBA First Team? You bet. Leading the Indiana Fever to their first playoff appearance in eight years? No big deal—she’s just doing her thing.
But hey, even superheroes have their off days. After 42 games of brilliance, her postseason didn’t quite match up to the hype. The Fever were swept by the Connecticut Sun, 2-0. Ouch. Clark may have been firing from all cylinders all season, but in the playoffs, it was like someone swapped her basketball powers with a benchwarmer’s. But that’s what makes the offseason so great—time to recharge, hit the gym, and, who knows, maybe close a deal that’ll have her rolling in Messi-level dough.
Rookie Advice? Oh, She’s Got It
While we mere mortals struggle to get out of bed on Mondays, Clark’s out here sharing rookie advice like a seasoned pro. “Allow yourself some grace. You’ll catch on, and get comfortable as time goes on,” she said in a piece for The Players’ Tribune. Of course, the key takeaway? “Have fun—it goes by fast.” It’s classic Clark: cool, composed, and totally unfazed by the spotlight.
As Caitlin Clark gears up for what promises to be another stellar WNBA season—and possibly a 3×3 stint—we can only wait and wonder. What’s next for the reigning ROTY? Will she sign that massive Unrivaled deal? Will she continue to leave defenders in the dust and announcers lost for words? One thing’s for sure—whether it’s on the court, the golf course, or the dance floor, Caitlin Clark is one athlete who never misses a beat.