Caitlin Clark’s WNBA debut delivered on immense hype

ARLINGTON, Texas — Caitlin Clark’s WNBA debut on Friday was a rousing success on many levels.

For one, Clark, 22, the two-time national and three-time Big Ten Conference women’s player of the year, had an impressive debut for the Indiana Fever against the Dallas Wings, scoring 21 points on 6-of-15 shooting (5-of-13 from long range) while adding three rebounds, two assists and two steals in 28 minutes.

The Des Moines native and top pick in the 2024 WNBA draft who has almost singlehandedly helped elevate the popularity of women’s basketball also ensured Friday’s game at College Park Center, on the campus of the University of Texas at Arlington, was a sellout, attracting 6,251 fans, many of whom were sporting Clark apparel, much of it bearing the trademark black-and-gold of her Iowa Hawkeyes.

However, the enormity of the moment wasn’t too big for her as she took the early part of her postgame remarks to the media to thank those who turned out in person and watched her professsional debut.

“The fans, they’re what makes women’s basketball so fun. Over the last couple years, it (the popularity) has grown and grown,” Clark said.

“For them to come out and support me in my first WNBA game is really special, not only for myself but both teams on the court. They get to see how good this product is. You couldn’t ask for a better game really for women’s basketball to kick off this year, first game coming down to the wire, both teams competing. That’s going to be the story of the entire year.”

Of course, even though it was a preseason game, Clark, who played only five minutes in the third quarter after picking up her fourth foul, realizes despite her successful debut, there’s plenty for her to work on, namely the five turnovers she committed in the 79-76 loss, which came on a last-second 3-pointer by Dallas’ Arike Ogunbowale, a perennial WNBA All-Star.

“I think I did pretty well. Definitely could have taken care of the ball a little bit better,” Clark said. “I think all of us could have done a better job of that, (we had) too many turnovers (17). Overall, I think I played really hard and executed. I think overall, I came in here and played hard. That’s always something to be proud of.”

When she was introduced in pregame introductions, the ex-Hawkeye superstar drew a huge ovation. And when Clark hit her first of five 3-pointers in the first quarter, the crowd was equally ecstatic in what was an electric atmosphere for the entire evening, something she definitely appreciated.

“I think just the atmosphere (is what I’ll remember most),” Clark said. “Getting to put on your jersey for the first time for a real game is something that’s super special. I remember my first game in college really well and know I’ll remember my first game in the W really well, whether it’s preseason or our first game at Connecticut. It’s a big milestone for somebody that’s always dreamed of playing in the WNBA.”

“The crowd was great all night. That’s what you expect with a sellout. Those are going to be the same with crowds all year. Whether they’re cheering for you or against you, you better get used to it. It’s always just a fun environment to play in.”

Fever teammate Grace Berger knew Clark well before she even joined the Fever, after playing against her on several occasions during her collegiate career at Big Ten rival Indiana. And now that Berger, who is entering her second season in the league, is teammates with the biggest name in women’s basketball these days, she’s happy to see the added attention given to her team.

“I think it’s great not only for our team, but the WNBA just to bring more eyes to it. I think once we get people to actually watch the WNBA, they’ll keep coming back once they realize what a good product it is,” Berger said.

Ogunbowale’s final 3 of the evening came with three seconds left and the Fever immediately took their final timeout. With the ball automatically advanced to midcourt, second-year Indiana head coach Christie Sides drew up a play to get Clark the final shot to potentially send the game to overtime. Clark misfired from 25 feet, but her new coach has no reservations about calling her number in similar late-game situations in the future.

“She’s a player that has ice in her veins. That’s who she is, she’s someone who is confident she’s going to make those shots,” Sides said.

When asked what major differences she immediately noticed about the WNBA compared to college, Clark cited the more physical play right off the bat and needing to maintain focus on every possession.

“It comes down to every single possession. When you’re on the court with this much talent, you can’t take a second off,” she said. “You relax for one second and they’re going to beat you on a screen, beat you on whatever it is. You cannot relax in this league for one second.”

However, when asked if she’s feels more pressure to succeed as a professional, she offered a response very fitting of her calm, cool and collected demeanor.

“Yeah, the pressure has always been there whether I’ve been in college or now that I’m starting my WNBA career. Going to go about the same way I always do, just prepare the same way,” Clark said.

Caitlin Clark’s first game as a professional was truly a special evening, that rare occasion in the sports world where the actual event delivered on the immense hype surrounding it, but many have a feeling it will be the first of many for this uber-talented former Hawkeye.

Stephen Hunt is a freelance writer based in Frisco, Texas.