Since Caitlyn Clark’s article dropped, it’s been amazing to see the buzz and excitement surrounding her. The reaction from fans on platforms like X, Instagram, and TikTok shows how much her recognition as Athlete of the Year has resonated, not only for women’s basketball but for women’s sports as a whole. Caitlyn shares how surreal it feels, as she’s loved women’s sports her whole life and watched athletes like herself rise.

Reflecting on her journey, Caitlyn talks about the rapid shift from finishing college to diving into the WNBA, moving to Indianapolis and immediately starting a new chapter. Despite the whirlwind, she had a great support system to help her adjust. She credits much of her success to the people around her, including family, teammates, and coaches.

Throughout the conversation, Caitlyn is described as incredibly humble despite the immense attention she’s received for revolutionizing the sport. An example of this is her role in drawing massive crowds, like when a game in Atlanta, typically played in a 6,000-capacity arena, moved to the larger venue for 20,000 people because of her presence. Caitlyn reflects on how she’s helped bring eyes to the game, inspiring the next generation of young girls and boys, and how important it is to see these fans and know that they’ll carry those memories for a lifetime.

Her rise in popularity, combined with increased investment in the WNBA, shows the growth of the league. Caitlyn believes the investment now is only going to increase as the sport continues to thrive.

When asked about the future of the WNBA, she pointed out that it’s just the beginning, noting how things have already changed dramatically in the past few years. The ability to watch games on ABC and seeing arenas sell out is a testament to the growing recognition of women’s sports.

Caitlyn has also faced criticisms about race and privilege, especially as she’s been an advocate for uplifting Black female athletes. Despite this, she maintains perspective, believing in her authenticity and staying true to her roots as someone who grew up admiring the WNBA.

She feels she’s earned her place but is always aware of the historical context of the league and the contributions of Black women within it. Her perspective is rooted in staying true to herself, focusing on the support of those who matter most, like her teammates and family.

When asked about her future, Caitlyn remains humble, acknowledging that she’s still young and continues to strive for improvement. Even after a long year of playing non-stop, she’s excited to keep growing as a player. She also dreams of life beyond basketball, perhaps becoming a sports team owner or opening a coffee shop, with a passion for finding new adventures.

Reflecting on the past year, Caitlyn expresses how important failures have been in shaping who she is today, including being cut from a junior national team tryout at age 16, which motivated her to work harder and come back stronger. Through those challenges, Caitlyn has built resilience and perspective that continue to guide her success.