In a crossover we didn’t know we needed, Indiana Fever phenom Caitlin Clark is about to sit down with none other than David Letterman at Ball State University on Dec. 2 for a public conversation. Yep, you read that right—basketball’s hottest rookie and late-night TV’s quirkiest host are coming together for what promises to be an event that could have more twists than a crossover dribble.
This news, dropped by Chloe Peterson, an Indiana Fever writer, on X (formerly known as Twitter—because we just had to rebrand everything), has the sports world buzzing. Clark, who has already carved out a name for herself in the WNBA with an armful of accolades, will be joining Letterman as part of the university’s David Letterman Distinguished Professional Lecture and Workshop series. That’s right, folks, when she’s not raining threes, she’s out here delivering lectures!
The Star and the Legend: A Power Duo?
Geoffrey S. Mearns, the president of Ball State University, chimed in with the kind of glowing remarks you’d expect from a guy who’s about to host two megastars. “David Letterman is our University’s most famous graduate. He is a native Hoosier and a national icon, and Caitlin Clark has quickly become a beloved Hoosier and national star. I anticipate their conversation will be very special,” Mearns said, possibly polishing his own trophy shelf while he spoke.
Apparently, Ball State has quite the star-studded lineup for this lecture series. Oprah Winfrey, Biz Stone (the guy behind Twitter—oh, sorry, X), and Rachel Maddow have graced the stage before, but Caitlin Clark, the newly crowned WNBA Rookie of the Year, might just steal the show. After all, this is a woman who shattered records for most threes, assists, and points in her rookie season, all while looking cooler than a Nike ad. Oh wait, she is a Nike ad—$28 million worth of one.
What’s Next? A Restaurant Empire, Apparently
If dominating the WNBA wasn’t enough, Clark recently hinted on the “Fresh Tawk” podcast that she has her eye on yet another prize: a restaurant. During the episode, she confessed, “One day, I have to accomplish that.” Just imagine, “Clark’s Court”—a place where the only thing faster than the service is Caitlin hitting a step-back three.
But let’s be real. With a $28 million Nike deal, endorsements from Gatorade, Wilson, Bose, and whatever other brands are scrambling to get her signature, opening a restaurant is probably more of a casual weekend project for Clark. Maybe she’ll offer a special called “The Triple-Double”—you know, like three tacos, two drinks, and a side of fries. Or she’ll call it “The Fadeaway,” where the food is served so fast, it’s gone before you know it.
Letterman’s Lecture Series Goes Full-Court Press
Back to Letterman—he’s not just some TV legend hanging up his suit jackets and growing a Santa beard. He established this whole professional lecture and workshop series at his alma mater back in 2008, and it’s since become a playground for media’s biggest names. Now, he’s probably thinking to himself, “Sure, I’ve had Oprah, but can she nail a three from the logo?”
We can only imagine the banter between these two icons. Will Letterman ask her about handling the pressures of the spotlight, or maybe what it’s like to be the face of women’s basketball? Or will he crack jokes about how his jump shot compares to Clark’s buzzer-beaters? Either way, it’s going to be one for the highlight reels.
Ticket Info—Because You Know You’re Curious
For those looking to witness this unlikely duo in action, Ball State University promises more details on ticket sales soon. Until then, keep your eyes glued to their socials and prepare yourself for what could be the most entertaining conversation to ever happen inside Emens Auditorium. If you’re lucky enough to snag a ticket, just don’t expect Letterman to let Clark get through the whole thing without cracking at least one “top ten” list.
So, whether you’re a basketball fanatic, a David Letterman devotee, or just someone who loves to watch stars collide in the most unexpected ways, mark your calendars for Dec. 2. Because this? This is going to be one conversation you don’t want to miss.
