Caitlin Clark’s former coach noted that her passion and dedication to elevating her team set her apart from her squad-mates. At only 22 years old, Clark has already made a significant impact in the WNBA, leading the Indiana Fever to the playoffs for the first time in six years.
In her standout rookie season, Clark became the first player to unanimously win the Rookie of the Year award. She is changing the game of women’s basketball and playing a crucial role in the WNBA’s growing popularity.
Jan Jensen, who coached Clark at Iowa Hawkeyes and now serves as head coach, praised her strong desire and basketball intelligence, likening her mentality to that of legends like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, even if it caused some bruised egos among her teammates. Jensen said on the Mailender Podcast: “You had to make everyone else understand how special she was.”
“We had to really focus on team chemistry and culture. When Caitlin joined the team, she had high expectations. Just like Kobe Bryant or Michael Jordan, she values trust and basketball IQ.”
“So for Caitlin, if she felt that you weren’t putting in the same effort as she was, then she wouldn’t pass you the ball. She believed her shot from 40 feet was more reliable than yours from 15.”
Jensen reflected on how Clark’s teammates had a harsh reality check, stating: “They thought they were working hard. But their usual routine of maybe 100 shots after practice wasn’t enough, and their feelings were hurt.”
“Because she would overlook them and not pass. Their feelings were hurt… She might believe in you, but in that moment, she didn’t think you had put in the same work as her to take the shot.”
Opting out of the upcoming 3×3 Unrivaled series despite a tempting offer, Clark is enjoying a longer offseason compared to some of her WNBA peers. Unrivaled president Alex Bazzell mentioned negotiations with Clark, saying: “We had discussions with her.”
“Ultimately, she needed this offseason for herself, which we understand, so hopefully we’ll see her next year. She won’t be participating this year.”
Instead of basketball, Clark is honing her golf skills and taking part in Pro-Am tournaments as she explores another one of her athletic passions.
