USA Today via Reuters
May 18, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) warms up prior to the game against the New York Liberty at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
May 18, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) warms up prior to the game against the New York Liberty at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
No one can deny the change in dynamics the WNBA has witnessed ever since Caitlin Clark entered the league. Whether it’s a scoring record, a viewership record, or even a shoe-deal record, the 22-year-old Iowa native has had a hand in breaking them throughout the year. But, do you know the secret behind it? The rookie herself once shared the secret sauce.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
Earlier this year, the Indiana Fever standout was invited to join forces with ESPN, where she was asked to advise young kids. Her response? “Just dream big.” For Clark, the success she enjoys today is something she has “worked really hard” for. Since the beginning of her collegiate career, where her skills propelled her to success, she “always believed” in herself.
“That’s the biggest thing from a young age,” she said, right before kicking off a streak of record-shattering performances. Thanks to her “dream big” mentality, she ended the season with a long list of achievements, including the Rookie of the Year award. In fact, Clark is now a participant in Elite ROTY club becoming one of only fifteen first picks at the WNBA draft to win the ROTY award.
Top Stories
A little credit also goes to her parents for nurturing their daughter into a WNBA trendsetter. “My parents always instilled confidence in me; they never told me I couldn’t achieve anything,” she revealed.
“I always believed in myself … also I worked really hard for it. That’s why I am so proud. I earned it. I deserve it. Nothing was ever given to me.”
Caitlin Clark gives some words of wisdom to students of her old elementary school teacher and young fans. pic.twitter.com/Z0rtfdSRpD
— Good Morning America (@GMA) April 16, 2024
And she’s right. When Clark first got her hands on a basketball, she was just five years old, but there weren’t many girls’ leagues for her age group. So, her father motivated her to compete in boys’ recreational leagues. Whenever Clark needed support, her father was there, cheering for her from the sidelines. That’s how Brent Clark helped mold his daughter’s future.
Parents’ guide for raising successful children a la Brent Clark
Like Caitlin, her father, Brent, is often asked by parents of young kids about his advice on nurturing a star athlete. His answer? “Get your children engaged in as many different activities as possible, sports or otherwise.” Before committing to basketball, Clark had tried her hand at multiple sports.
Be it golf, soccer, volleyball, or tennis, Clark has experience in all of them. Now, when both her parents look back, they clearly see how those activities helped elevate her mental and physical skills. But there’s more to the story. For Clark, her siblings played a major role too. Growing up with two brothers, she always had someone to look up to.
“I grew up with an older and younger brother. I always wanted to be like my older brother,” Clark joked in the same interview. And that’s how her future was nurtured over the years. After an incredible rookie year, expectations are even higher for her second season. Will she live up to the mark?
