When Caitlin Clark rolled into the Indiana Fever’s training camp, Indiana got more than a fresh rookie — they got a literal tornado of talent, charisma, and fan hysteria. Guard Lexie Hull had barely adjusted to having a new superstar in town before she was swept up in a whirlwind of flashing lights, deafening cheers, and Fever fans who seemingly appeared out of thin air.
Hull, a seasoned vet with the Fever, got the sense pretty early that Clark wasn’t just another rookie. “The second the draft ended, the city was basically wearing No. 1 jerseys and hyperventilating in line for tickets,” Hull joked on The Ringer WNBA Show. “People were practically camping out in front of the stadium. And this was just for preseason!” Fever fans didn’t hesitate to latch onto every Clark assist, point, and even her dribbles — because when you’re Caitlin Clark, every dribble deserves a standing ovation.
The mania surrounding Clark, the Fever’s top pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, spilled over into game attendance and television ratings, which skyrocketed like never before. For a team that has struggled to pack its house in recent seasons, Clark’s arrival felt like winning the sports marketing lottery. Gainbridge Fieldhouse transformed into the epicenter of Clark fandom, packed with Indiana faithful (and some newly-minted diehards) who seemed determined to make every game feel like a playoff run.
But the hype was no empty noise. The Iowa phenom went on to deliver rookie numbers that were, dare we say, almost too good to be true: 19.2 points, a league-best 8.4 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game. Those stats? Pure catnip for fans and sportswriters alike, not to mention a shock to the system for the rest of the WNBA. With Clark on board, Indiana clawed its way out of an eight-year playoff drought and straight into a heated postseason campaign. Fans, who had spent most recent seasons half-heartedly rooting, were suddenly more committed than ever. And don’t even get us started on the away games — Clark fans were like an army, following her to arenas across the country.
As the season went on, Hull became more impressed with Clark as both a player and a person. The Stanford alum couldn’t help but be a little in awe of the rookie phenom’s calm under pressure. “She’s got people expecting the world from her, but she’s steady, just taking it all in stride,” Hull explained. “I mean, I’d be crumbling under all those expectations — but her? Just another day at the office.” Hull couldn’t resist giving props to her teammate’s down-to-earth personality. “It’s just fun to see the ‘real’ Caitlin off the court,” Hull added, a smirk on her face. “She’s actually just a big goofball. And we can’t even keep up with her at karaoke.”
Their friendship hasn’t slowed down just because the season ended. The two have been spotted all over town together, and Clark’s social media accounts have been peppered with fun moments — from ice cream runs to the odd bowling night where, rumor has it, Clark is a surprisingly mediocre bowler. Who knew?
With the rookie phenom breaking records, selling tickets, and setting new standards, the Fever have suddenly found themselves the darlings of the league. Fever fans are buzzing, and Indiana basketball has a fresh new face at the forefront.
