Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark opened up about how she developed her confidence during a recent speaking engagement at the Massachusetts Conference for Women.

While sharing personal experiences, she credited her upbringing for fostering a strong belief in herself, even during challenging moments.

“There were moments where I struggled with my confidence, but overall, I was a very confident young girl,” Clark shared, according to PEOPLE.

“They never told me, ‘You can’t do this or that.’”

The Fever guard said this support allowed her to embrace challenges, including competing in boys’ basketball leagues where she consistently outperformed her peers.

Clark reflected on a story where her father revealed she was nearly named MVP of a boys’ league—an honor blocked by parents who didn’t want a girl receiving the award.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark

Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

Clark humorously recounted, “I was just better than all of them,” drawing cheers from the audience.

The WNBA rookie standout used her story to inspire young girls, stressing the importance of confidence in pursuing dreams, whether in sports or other fields.

“For younger girls, just be confident in yourself,” she added.

“Even when I failed, I believed in my abilities, and that made all the difference.”

Clark’s year has been a testament to that confidence, as she led her Iowa Hawkeyes to the NCAA Championship game and transitioned seamlessly into the WNBA. She has broken records, earned Rookie of the Year honor and became a role model for aspiring athletes.

Reflecting on her success, she added, “It’s been a whirlwind, but I remind myself to stay grateful. There’s no place I’d rather be than inspiring the next generation.”