The Caitlin Clark effect is still in full swing, and this time it has pulled another established WNBA name into the orbit of the Indiana Fever.
Forward Aerial Powers, a veteran with championship pedigree and proven scoring ability, became the latest player to acknowledge the gravitational pull of the league’s brightest young star.
It was on social media where Powers really let her thoughts show. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), she claimed to be blissfully unaware of Clark’s impact on the WNBA crowds – even when Indiana play away from Gainesbridge Fieldhouse.
“I really didn’t know!” she wrote. That four-word response perfectly encapsulates the shock effect Clark has on not just the crowds but other players. Powers continued: “Every game really is a home game! The energy was crazy Fever fans, keep bringing it!”
Once a struggling franchise fighting for relevance, the Fever now find themselves at the center of attention, boasting sellout crowds, national television slots, and renewed belief that they can climb back into title contention.
Clark’s impact extends beyond the box score
While Clark’s dazzling shooting range and playmaking have boosted Indiana’s on-court product, her influence has been even more significant off the hardwood.
Attendance numbers across the WNBA have skyrocketed since she entered the league, with the Fever often leading the way in ticket sales and merchandise demand.
For Powers, who has averaged double-digit scoring seasons and previously won a WNBA championship with the Washington Mystics, the chance to team up with Clark represented more than just basketball. It was an opportunity to be part of a cultural shift on her seven-day hardship contract..
That sentiment reflects a broader trend across the league: established players are beginning to view Clark not only as a promising teammate but also as a catalyst for elevating the profile of women’s basketball as a whole.
Indiana’s resurgence cannot be separated from Clark’s impact. The Fever, once perennial bottom-dwellers, have gone from overlooked to must-watch overnight. Every game feels like an event, with fans traveling across states just to catch a glimpse of the rookie guard whose deep shooting range has drawn comparisons to NBA stars like Stephen Curry.
A franchise reborn
The front office has responded by seeking complementary pieces to maximize Clark’s talents. Signing Aerial Powers was part of that vision, giving the Fever another scorer who can relieve offensive pressure and space the floor.
More importantly, it reflects the kind of draw Clark has-top-level players are now willing to join Indiana, something that was rarely the case in recent seasons. That level of pull is unprecedented for a second-year player, underscoring just how rare Clark’s influence is in the women’s game.
As Indiana pushes forward, the pairing of Clark and Powers could prove critical in shaping the team’s playoff ambitions. Powers provides experience and toughness, while Clark continues to redefine what it means to be a franchise cornerstone in the WNBA.
If Powers’ four-word admission is any indication, the Fever are no longer just a rebuilding project-they are a destination. And at the center of it all stands Caitlin Clark, whose impact reaches far beyond points and assists, reshaping how players, fans, and the league itself view Indiana.
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