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Caitlin Clark’s remarkable accomplishments are primarily due to her performance on the basketball court. Her journey to stardom seems to have come full circle, back to where it all began – on the court. After receiving widespread recognition for her TIME magazine honor and discussions about her impact on the WNBA, the spotlight has shifted back to her skills.
The change in Clark’s approach is evident. A recent training video posted by the Indiana Fever’s social media accounts showed Clark honing her skills with added physicality in her drills. This intentional approach has not gone unnoticed. Analyst Rachel DeMita pointed out in a YouTube video, “I noticed here that coaches are introducing physicality in her training sessions.” Physicality has become a crucial aspect of Caitlin Clark’s growth, and it’s not just about what happens during practice. Fans and analysts have also observed a noticeable change in her physique. DeMita mentioned, “Many have noted online that Caitlin Clark seems to have gained some muscle since the end of the season.”
This evolution in Clark’s approach is not new. During her senior year at Iowa, Clark gained 8 pounds due to being physically targeted by opponents. Lindsay Alexander, Iowa’s associate strength and conditioning coach, highlighted her progress, saying, “She has incredible basketball skills, but her physical development has room for improvement.”
Rahee and Caitlin exchange jerseys (Image via Instagram/ Rashee)
Clark’s offseason training is not just about physical gains. Reports suggest she is honing various aspects of her game such as ball handling, off-balance finishing, mid-range shots, screen navigation, and her trademark three-pointers.
DeMita believes that this improved version of Clark will pose a challenge for opposing defenses. “It will be difficult to guard her if she perfects her touch at the basket, her floater game, mid-range shots, and three-pointers,” she stated. There is speculation about the reason behind Clark’s increased muscle mass. DeMita suggested that her demanding schedule since her senior year at Iowa, which included college basketball, Olympic games, and her first WNBA season, may have contributed to the change. “It’s unclear whether this is due to her rigorous training or the demanding schedule she has been following,” she explained.
The WNBA’s teams and players will need to adapt to Caitlin Clark’s new training and transformation. With her enhanced strength and expanded skill set, she has become a more formidable player to defend against. DeMita’s words underscore the challenge ahead for defenders, “Her floater game, her mid-range game, and also the long threes that everyone knows and loves.”
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