Cover Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever warms up before the game against the New York Liberty in the game at Barclays Center (Photo: Luke Hales / Getty Images)
Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever warms up before the game against the New York Liberty in the game at Barclays Center (Photo: Luke Hales / Getty Images)
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Meet Caitlin Clark, the 21-year-old Indiana Fever rookie taking on the basketball court in style
Women’s basketball is shaping up to be one of the most exciting sporting spectacles. From record-breaking ratings to worldwide enthusiasm, the WNBA is currently gaining popularity.
One of the key factors at play is Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark, known for her sharpshooting skills and impressive on-court strategising. The 22-year-old Des Moines native spent the last couple of years playing for the University of Iowa’s basketball team, during which she made history as the all-time leading scorer in NCAA basketball. Last April, she became the number one overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, propelling her into superstardom.
Here are a few things to know about the star rookie.
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Athleticism runs in her family
Above Caitlin Clark poses with her award and parents Anne Nizzi Clark and Brent Clark during a press conference ahead of the 2024 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament Final Four in Cleveland, Ohio (Photo: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)
Caitlin Clark poses with her award and parents Anne Nizzi Clark and Brent Clark during a press conference ahead of the 2024 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament Final Four in Cleveland, Ohio (Photo: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)
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Clark comes from a long line of sports enthusiasts. She grew up watching her cousins play basketball tournaments. Her father, Brent Clark, actually coached her high school basketball team at Dowling Catholic High School in Des Moines, Iowa. Additionally, her maternal grandfather was a football coach at the same school in his day.
She’s expected to make far more than her starting salary in the WNBA
Above Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever participates in pre-game festivities before game three of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Indiana Pacers (Photo: Dylan Buell / Getty Ima
Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever participates in pre-game festivities before game three of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Indiana Pacers (Photo: Dylan Buell / Getty Ima
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It’s almost certain that Clark will earn less than six (American) figures in her first season in the WNBA, even as the first pick in this year’s draft. However, her earnings aren’t confined to her mere salary alone. In fact, she’s already signed sponsorship deals that could guarantee her more than her starting pay, having done commercials for brands such as Gatorade and Nike.
She's the all-time leading scorer in women's college basketball
Above Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes is introduced prior to the start of a game against the Connecticut Huskies in the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal game between Connecticut and Iowa (Photo: Thien-An Truong/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes is introduced prior to the start of a game against the Connecticut Huskies in the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal game between Connecticut and Iowa (Photo: Thien-An Truong/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
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Earlier this year, Clark became the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) leading scorer in both men’s and women’s basketball. She earned this victory during a match with the Ohio State Buckeyes back in March, thanks to a pair of free throws in the first half of the game.
She was the first WNBA player to be dressed by Prada
Above Caitlin Clark arrives prior to the 2024 WNBA Draft at Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York City (Photo: Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Caitlin Clark arrives prior to the 2024 WNBA Draft at Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York City (Photo: Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
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On WNBA draft night, Clark arrived at the Brooklyn Academy of Music dressed in head-to-toe Prada. She wore a matching white satin shirt and skirt over a mesh top, along with a black Galleria handbag and pink sunglasses. The occasion marks the first time the brand has dressed an athlete of any sport or calibre.
See also: Off-court and in style: 5 NBA players who are taking the fashion world by storm
There’s talk of Clark potentially collaborating with Nike on a signature shoe
Above Caitlin Clark #22 and Katie Lou Samuelson #33 of the Indiana Fever wait to be introduced before their game against the Las Vegas Aces in Las Vegas (Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Caitlin Clark #22 and Katie Lou Samuelson #33 of the Indiana Fever wait to be introduced before their game against the Las Vegas Aces in Las Vegas (Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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Clark is reportedly in talks with the athletic shoe brand to sign a multi-million dollar contract—a deal that could possibly include her own shoe. It is slated to be one of the most lucrative endorsements for a female athlete in history.
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About
Julianna has been interested in leading a literary life since she first read Frances Hodgson Burnett's A Little Princess at eight. Before working with Tatler, she was an archive intern at The Center for Fiction in Brooklyn, New York. She is a textbook Pisces who devotes most of her spare time to her crochet projects, watching classic films, and going through her never-ending pile of unread books. She studied creative writing, global literature and art history at Sarah Lawrence College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2022. Toni Morrison, Nora Ephron, Clarice Lispector and Jia Tolentino are among her all-time favourite writers.
Work
Julianna writes about fashion, beauty, sustainability, and the arts. She is always keen on conducting interviews with talented women who are changing the game in their respective fields.
For event invites and story leads, hit her up at julianna.cabili@tatlerasia.com
