Caitlin Clark is turning heads off the court with a bold new hairstyle, surprising fans with a head of voluminous curls that marks a departure from her usual straight hair, and social media quickly erupted with praise for the Indiana Fever star’s fresh look.
The 24-year-old guard, who missed much of the 2025 WNBA season due to groin and ankle injuries, has approached 2026 fully healthy, eager to build on her sophomore campaign and the Indiana Fever‘s impressive playoff run without her, which ended in a Game 5 overtime loss to the Las Vegas Aces.
Clark played just 13 games last year, but when on the floor, she averaged 16.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game, enough to earn her second WNBA All-Star nod, cementing her status as one of the league’s elite and a crucial piece for Indiana heading into the new season.
During the offseason, Clark represented Team USA at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament, making her senior national team debut and helping the U.S. finish 5-0, averaging 11.6 points, 1.6 rebounds, and a tournament-best 6.4 assists per game in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
After returning home to West Des Moines, Iowa, Clark visited local stylist Bella Grundy, who gave her a full head of curls, a sharp change from the long, straight hair Clark often ties back in a bun during games, a transformation that immediately captured fans’ attention online.
“Curls for Caitlin,” Grundy posted on Instagram, a caption quickly followed by Clark and her supporters, with Clark herself commenting, “Obsessed.”
One fan added, “Curls for the MVP!!!”
A second said, “Just gorgeous!!!”
And a third wrote, “Caitlin with the curls!”
Clark heaps praise on Team USA colleague
Clark continues to bask in her breakout performance for Team USA at the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament, where she played a major role in the squad’s undefeated 5-0 record, averaging 11.6 points on 52.9% shooting and leading the tournament with 6.4 assists per game.
Though she started only one game, Clark led all players in minutes with 21.2 per contest, adding 1.6 rebounds and 2.0 three-pointers per game on 40.0% shooting, earning the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award while showcasing her versatility and leadership at the international level.
Clark’s praise for her teammates was evident when she commented on social media following Natalie Nakase‘s farewell message, writing, “goatttttt. Guard group.”
Her message highlighted the chemistry and respect she developed with her fellow USA Basketball stars during the qualifying tournament.
The coaching staff, which included Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White and Natalie Nakase of the Golden State Valkyries, took over mid-tournament after head coach Kara Lawson left to prepare for Duke‘s NCAA tournament run, providing Clark with guidance and mentorship that contributed to her standout performance.
Caitlin Clark‘s new curly hairstyle and her international MVP performance combine to make 2026 a season of transformation and excitement, both on and off the court, as she looks to lead the Indiana Fever while continuing to elevate her status among the elite players in women’s basketball.
Fans have responded enthusiastically to both her look and her play, signaling that Caitlin Clark‘s combination of skill, charisma, and now a daring new style is capturing the attention of basketball enthusiasts across the league and beyond.
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