WNBA rookie sensation Caitlin Clark recently made a heartfelt return to her hometown of Des Moines, Iowa, not for basketball, but to give back to the community that raised her. Despite recovering from multiple soft-tissue injuries, the Indiana Fever guard has remained focused on uplifting others, proving that her leadership extends well beyond the court.
Clark visited McCombs Middle School to unveil the second of four new community basketball courts funded by her Caitlin Clark Foundation.
With partners like Hy-Vee, Musco Lighting, and Des Moines Public Schools, the foundation transformed a local field into a multi-purpose court featuring a full-length basketball setup, built-in soccer goals, and a large Caitlin Clark Foundation logo at center court.
The court isn’t just infrastructure, it’s the promise of a better future. During her visit, students buzzed with admiration, many comparing her to Golden State’s Stephen Curry. “She might be better than Steph Curry,” said one middle schooler. “Bro, she’s better than Steph Curry,” added another.
While that debate continues among fans and analysts alike, one thing is clear: Clark has already secured legendary status in the eyes of her hometown youth.
Giving beyond the game
Clark didn’t stop at a ribbon-cutting. After the ceremony, she handed out backpacks to every student, filled with school supplies, books, snacks, and Gatorade to help them kick off the 2025-26 school year. “We were lucky enough to do this last year and help over 500 kids,” she said. “And we’re doing it again this year right here.”
Founded in 2023, the Caitlin Clark Foundation focuses on three pillars: education, nutrition, and sports. In January 2025, to celebrate her 23rd birthday, Clark donated 22,000 books across Iowa and Indiana through a partnership with Scholastic’s United States of Readers initiative, the largest-ever collaboration between the publisher and a WNBA athlete. She wanted to recreate the excitement she felt as a child reading Scholastic flyers.
Her charitable reach has been wide and impactful. During the WNBA’s Olympic break, Clark returned to Des Moines to distribute 350 backpacks filled with Nike gear, Gatorade, and supplies. Last year, she and her team surprised attendees at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa Gala with a $22,000 donation and over $13,000 in sports and winter gear.
She’s also supported food insecurity efforts by raising over $100,000 for the Coralville Community Food Pantry and donating nearly her entire rookie salary.
While her deep shooting and record-setting assists grab headlines, Clark’s off-court legacy is just as powerful-showing that true greatness includes lifting others up, especially at home.
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