Only three games into her WNBA career, Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark is embracing the mentality of a rookie.
Clark has had to make serious adjustment from her college days at the University of Iowa to now when she’s expected to be the savior of an Indiana franchise that has many problems that need fixing.
She isn’t (and shouldn’t be) expected to solve all of them, but fans turn out regardless and Clark is a draw for WNBA franchises all over the country.
But speaking to the Today Show’s Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager, Clark says that she’s staying grounded and embracing that role of first-timer.
‘It feels good. I mean, I think just the excitement and the energy around this league, around our team,’ she said.
Indiana’s Caitlin Clark says she doesn’t want to lose the fun of being a newcomer in the WNBA
Clark has heavy expectations on her as fans of the Fever hope she will be a savior for their team
But there’s still an adjustment period, as Clark has had to get used to pro basketball defense
‘But at the same time, I think just learning day by day. That’s going to be the biggest thing for myself.’
Clark continued, ‘And I think continuing to stack days, whether you learn one little thing or you learn a lot, I think continuing to improve is going to be the biggest part of it for myself. But also, don’t lose the fun of it.’
She also has to get used to the lack of success she experienced at Iowa – where she reached back-to-back national title games.
Her first three games have resulted in three straight losses – one to the Connecticut Sun and two to the New York Liberty, all losses by double-digits.
Clark dropped 20 points in her debut, regressed to 9 points the next game, and then shot back up to 22 points in her best performance yet.
But she’s also been turning the ball over a lot more as she adjusts to the physicality and quickness of defense at the pro level.
Clark will look to get her first win of her WNBA career against the Sun once again, but this time the game will be at home at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
