Caitlin Clark might be sidelined, but her influence is still everywhere. Even during preseason games, she draws the kind of attention typically reserved for celebrities or major touring acts.
Earlier this year at Carver Hawkeye Arena, Clark returned for a game against Brazil’s national team. In just 19 minutes, she delivered 16 points, six rebounds, and five assists.
Still, the moment that stole the spotlight came late in the third quarter when she launched a deep three from 36 feet and sank it effortlessly. She then pointed toward the scorer’s table, smiling.
When asked about the gesture, Clark explained, “No story, just my guy Ryan Ruocco. He’s the man. I like him. I’m sure he had a good ‘you bet’ call. Yeah.”
Ruocco, who has covered Clark since college, says the excitement surrounding her games is like nothing else in sports.
“It’s like going to a concert and the anticipation when she pulls up from 30 feet, the reaction of the crowd, the attention from home, the emotional investment from fans and a broad stroke of fans is unlike anything I’ve experienced,” he said during a recent episode of the Women’s Sports Weekly Podcast.
Clark’s presence continues to draw record crowds
Whether in college or the pros, Clark has filled arenas. Her game against Virginia Tech in Charlotte pulled over 15,000 fans, the largest crowd ever for a women’s game in the state. A few days later, she broke Iowa’s scoring record in front of a sold-out crowd in Northern Iowa.
Even after injuries limited her to 13 games this WNBA season, fans still showed up in large numbers, arriving early and eager to see her in person.
Dr. Ryan M. Brewer estimated that Clark generated more than 26 percent of the WNBA’s economic impact last year. That figure was projected to surpass one billion dollars in her second year.
Though currently recovering from a groin injury, Clark continues to rally fans. Ahead of Game 2 of the Fever’s playoff series, she made a passionate call: “First home game since 2016.. I need to see every single person in Indianapolis, whether you’re inside the arena, could be outside of the arena, I don’t care. Show up. Get loud for my teammates. We need to get a dub and then we’re taking back to Atlanta. LET’S GOOOOOO!”
The result? More than 16,000 fans showed up, helping fuel a crucial win. Karl Smesko, coach of the Atlanta Dream, admitted, “They packed the house. They were really loud.”
It is clear that Caitlin Clark is more than a basketball player. She is an event, a movement, and to many, an experience that feels bigger than sports itself.
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