Move over LeBron, there’s a new cultural force in town—and she’s got a children’s book! Caitlin Clark, who’s already making headlines for turning the WNBA into her personal highlight reel, has now officially become an inspiration to children with her new book Just Like Caitlin. Yes, that’s right—when she’s not busy shattering rookie scoring records and leaving defenders questioning their life choices, she’s apparently writing stories that tug on the heartstrings of second-graders.
Because why stop at basketball domination when you can inspire an entire generation of future hoopers, right?
On Wednesday, the Dallas Center-Grimes school district in Iowa was buzzing with excitement as students held personal copies of Just Like Caitlin and formed a giant “22” and “CC” on the playground. That’s Clark’s jersey number and initials, by the way. It’s the kind of wholesome scene that makes you wonder why more athletes aren’t writing picture books.
Clark, with the help of author Ally Obermeier, has basically written the blueprint for future sports stars on how to cement your legacy early. Just Like Caitlin takes readers on a journey from Clark’s humble beginnings in youth basketball (when she was probably already hitting half-court shots for fun) all the way to her stardom in the WNBA with the Indiana Fever. No big deal, right?
Not only does the book aim to teach kids about the importance of friends and family (as if Clark wasn’t already the MVP of wholesome messages), but it’s also illustrated by Makenzie McCarthy, a social justice-minded artist determined to make kids think while they enjoy colorful pictures. It’s like killing two birds with one stone—education and entertainment all wrapped up in a $19.99 package.
And because Caitlin Clark doesn’t do anything small, over 40,000 copies of the book have been donated to kids across Iowa. So, no pressure on the rest of us who are just trying to get through Monday, right? If you missed out on that sweet free book train, you can still pick one up at justlikecaitlin.com or a couple of local stores in Iowa. Consider it a chance to own a little piece of sports history before Clark inevitably starts writing best-selling autobiographies or launches her own line of motivational TED Talks.
Oh, and did I mention she’s doing all this while being one of the most exciting rookies in WNBA history? She’s already smashed records for assists and rookie season scoring, as if she needed to remind us of her greatness. Clark’s meteoric rise has not only translated into stats but also into increased revenue and ratings for the league. She’s the kind of athlete who doesn’t just score—she rewrites the narrative.
So, what’s next for Caitlin Clark? A movie deal? Her own sneaker line? Or maybe she’ll run for office. At this point, nothing seems out of reach for the 22-year-old, who’s already leaving her mark on and off the court.
One thing’s for sure: If you don’t know Caitlin Clark yet, you’re probably going to hear about her from a second-grader holding a copy of Just Like Caitlin soon.
