BOTTOM LINE: Adam Clark and Merrimack take on TJ Weeks Jr. and Rider on Sunday.
The Broncs have gone 2-5 in home games. Rider allows 72.0 points and has been outscored by 6.8 points per game.
The Warriors are 8-2 against MAAC opponents. Merrimack has a 4-9 record against opponents over .500.
Rider’s average of 5.1 made 3-pointers per game is 1.4 fewer made shots on average than the 6.5 per game Merrimack gives up. Merrimack averages 64.2 points per game, 7.8 fewer points than the 72.0 Rider gives up to opponents.
The Broncs and Warriors square off Sunday for the first time in conference play this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Weeks is shooting 39.3% and averaging 13.3 points for the Broncs. Jay Alvarez is averaging 13.8 points over the last 10 games.
Clark is averaging 19.1 points, 5.9 assists and 2.2 steals for the Warriors. Matt Becht is averaging 12.9 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Broncs: 4-6, averaging 67.1 points, 30.4 rebounds, 12.0 assists, 6.1 steals and 3.2 blocks per game while shooting 41.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 72.7 points per game.
Warriors: 6-4, averaging 65.9 points, 24.4 rebounds, 13.2 assists, 9.5 steals and 3.6 blocks per game while shooting 43.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 62.4 points.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Exciting Matchup Ahead: Clark and the Merrimack Warriors Face off Against Rider
Get ready for an intense showdown as Clark and the Merrimack Warriors gear up to take on conference rival Rider. The stakes are high as both teams look to secure a crucial win in their quest for postseason success.
The Warriors have been on a hot streak lately, showcasing their talent and determination on the court. Led by standout player Clark, they have proven themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the conference.
On the other side, Rider will be looking to put up a strong fight and come out victorious in front of their home crowd. This matchup promises to be a thrilling display of skill, strategy, and passion for the game.
Don’t miss out on all the action as Clark and the Merrimack Warriors go head-to-head with Rider. It’s sure to be a game you won’t want to miss!
Michael Voepel is a senior writer who covers the WNBA, women’s college basketball and other college sports. Voepel began covering women’s basketball in 1984, and has been with ESPN since 1996.
Former Iowa star guard Caitlin Clark will return to play in her college home, Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, on May 4 as Indiana will host a WNBA exhibition game there.
The Fever will face the Brazilian national team at 6 p.m. ET. The school said that ticket and broadcast information will be released later.
“We couldn’t be more excited to play at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, and we know Iowa fans will deliver an unforgettable homecoming for Caitlin,” Fever president of basketball operations Kelly Krauskopf said. “Countless Hawkeye fans have become Fever fans, and we consider them family. That’s what will make this preseason matchup so special for us.”
Clark became the top scorer in Division I college basketball history at Iowa 2020-24, leading the Hawkeyes to two national championship games. She was the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA draft and earned the Rookie of the Year award and first-team All-WNBA honors last season for the Fever. They finished 20-20 and advanced to the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
Clark’s No. 22 jersey will be retired at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday at a ceremony after Iowa faces No. 4 USC and Trojans star JuJu Watkins at 1:30 p.m. ET. That game and the ceremony for Clark will be on Fox.
Exciting news for basketball fans in Iowa! Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever will be taking on Brazil in an exhibition game right here in Iowa. This is a rare opportunity to see some top-tier talent up close and personal. Don’t miss out on your chance to watch Clark showcase her skills on the court against international competition. Get your tickets now and cheer on Caitlin and the Fever as they face off against Brazil in this can’t-miss exhibition match. Let’s show our support for this incredible athlete and her team! #CaitlinClark #IndianaFever #BasketballExhibition #IowaPride
It has just been about a couple of years since the world learned about the rather private Caitlin Clark’s lovely secret. However, when we look at the moments they have given us, no way has it only been two years for the two hoopers. From helping her through handling the stress of spotlight to celebrating her wins and going on leisure Mexican vacations with her, McCaffery has shown his love in various forms for the Des Moines native. But has he went down on one knee already?
Fans have been buzzing with speculation. Has the basketball power couple taken the next big step? While Caitlin Clark and Connor McCaffery seem inseparable, there’s no official word on an engagement just yet. Sorry to disappoint Caitlin fans, but for now, it’s just love and basketball, and love for basketball.
McCaffery’s basketball journey is one of grit and consistency, playing 166 games for the Hawkeyes, the second-most in college basketball history. Known for his high IQ and playmaking, he boasted a remarkable 3.59 assist-to-turnover ratio, the second-best ever in the NCAA. With basketball running in the family, his brothers Patrick and Jonathan are also carving out their own paths on the court.
This is a developing story…
Fact Check: Is Caitlin Clark Engaged to Connor McCaffery?
Rumors have been circulating recently that star basketball player Caitlin Clark is engaged to Iowa Hawkeyes basketball player Connor McCaffery. However, after conducting a thorough fact check, it has been confirmed that these rumors are false.
Both Caitlin Clark and Connor McCaffery have not made any public announcements regarding their relationship status, let alone an engagement. It is important to verify information before spreading rumors and false information.
Please refrain from believing everything you see on social media and only trust information from reliable sources. Let’s respect the privacy of these athletes and avoid spreading misinformation.
A Vox reader asks: Why do people pay more to watch men’s sports than women’s sports?
For all of Caitlin Clark’s feats on the basketball court — breaking all-time scoring records, taking the Iowa Hawkeyes to two national championships and getting the Indiana Fever to the WNBA playoffs — what might be more impressive is the attention she’s captured and the sheer amount of people who want to see her play and are willing to pay top dollar to watch her dish dazzling assists and launch 3-point daggers from the logo.
In her rookie season, Clark helped the Fever achieve the best attendance in the league — over 17,000 people per game, a 265 percent increase over last season — and their televised games regularly reached over 1 million viewers per contest. Scalpers were selling tickets outside the arena. At one point in the season, they were asking $250 for a ticket that usually went for under $100, while some secondary market sellers were looking for up to $9,000, CNN reported.
Clark’s emergence alongside a new generation of exciting rookies and ultra-talented, already-established veterans has created momentum for women’s basketball and more generally women’s sports. Mainly: People are finally willing to pay more to see women’s basketball? That raises the question: Why weren’t they already?
Why have women’s sports historically been less popular?
At the heart of this question is a pretty simple answer: Men have had decades-long head starts when it comes to sports and professional sporting leagues. To put it in perspective, women were allowed to compete in the 1900 Olympics in five sports; it wasn’t until the 2012 London Olympics that women competed in all of the sports that the men were.
Similarly, in the US, experts specifically point to Title IX — the federal law that bans gender discrimination at schools receiving federal aid — and its passing in 1972 as a watershed moment for gender equality in sports. Before that, US schools had no obligation to provide the same athletic opportunities to girls that they did for boys. It broke down existing barriers to entry, allowing women not only to compete but also receive equal financial opportunity tied to sports (e.g., college scholarships ). But when Title IX solidified women’s rights into law and protected them from discrimination, the NBA was already over 20 years old.
“The easy way to think about it is to look at the overall lack of investment,” Lindsey Darvin, an assistant professor at Syracuse University, told me. Darvin studies women’s sports and gender equity in the intercollegiate and professional sports industry. She said that the NBA, and any other major sports league, have had decades upon decades of resources, both external and internal, infused into them. Women’s leagues are, relatively speaking, still so young and don’t (yet) gather the same kind of attention.
“The amount of investment that’s been put into the NBA — it dwarfs what’s been put into the WNBA,” Darvin said. The WNBA was founded in 1996, almost 30 years ago. The same number of years on the NBA timeline would be the late ’70s, when the league was finally established and on the verge of a massive leap in popularity. While the WNBA is growing, it hasn’t seen the same kind of trajectory — at least not yet.
It took decades for teams like the Lakers, Yankees, Arsenal, Bruins, and Packers to become lucrative sports franchises that generate millionsin revenue each year and play in arenas and stadiums in front of thousands of people. Some professional leagues count revenue in the tens of billions of dollars. Decades of investment — money, advertising, promotion, television deals, sponsorships, etc., — have turned teams and leagues into brand names.
That’s what you’re paying for when you’re purchasing a ticket. That’s also why a men’s pro sports ticket is usually going to be more expensive than a women’s.
How does marketing factor into it?
The last couple of years in women’s college basketball have shown us that women’s sports can challenge men’s in popularity — like, right now. At the 2024 Final Four, tickets for the women’s tickets on the secondary market were going double for the price of the men’s games.
The Caitlin Clark effect was in full motion, and the ratings for Clark and her cohort were at an all-time high. Clark’s last two games were the most-watched in history, averaging close to 14 million and, as The Athletic reported, eclipsed men’s sporting events like every World Series since 2019, every NBA Finals game since 2017, and every Daytona 500 since 2006.
“As a researcher, I don’t like to say the phrase that ‘the stars align’ because that just seems so kind of out there — but the stars aligning is a piece of it, and that’s what happened, right?” Darvin said, noting that Clark’s skill and flashy, appealing game; the success of the Iowa basketball team; and Clark’s marketability and her team’s underdog story were all factors in becoming a phenomenon.
But what intrigues Darvin is now that Clark has graduated and driven similar sellouts in the WNBA, is whether this can convince people — especially those in charge — that people are willing to spend more money to see women’s sports.
One of the trickier reasons about why men’s sports are valued over women’s is because that’s what we’ve been told they were more important for so long. Clark and Iowa basketball are one of the rare examples when investment, promotion, and media hammered home that Clark’s games were worth watching, worth paying for, and even more exciting than the men’s teams.
“You’re steered in directions through marketing, advertisements, and the media — you are basically told what you’re supposed to like and what you should pay for, and what you’re going to enjoy,” Darvin said. “And what is cool to enjoy and pay for has always been men’s sports.”
Essentially, we were told to value Caitlin Clark’s senior season in a way that hadn’t happened in women’s college basketball. But while Clark is the most recent barrier-breaker, she isn’t alone.
During her career, Serena Williams and her rivals were at times bigger stories than male tennis players. (Not unrelated: Tennis has been one of the better sports at striving for equal pay.) Simone Biles and the US women’s gymnastics team are bigger stories than the American men, and similarly, women’s figure skating is usually as popular as men’s at the Olympics. Those are all examples, Darvin said, where women athletes fare better when it comes to marketing and publicity.
The more women’s pro sports are publicized and marketed, the more people are willing to pay to see pro women athletes, and ostensibly the idea is that all this capital turns into growth, opportunity, and equality for women. With more money, perhaps the WNBA will be able to pay rookies more than $76,000 for their first season! A possible sign of progress: Unrivaled, a stateside professional 3×3 women’s league debuted in January with a $200,000 average salary per player and a multiyear media deal with TNT. Darvin also notes that college women athletes signing lucrative NIL deals are also changing the playing field and upping their media profiles.
If there’s one drawback it’s that if all goes according to plan, eventually we’ll get to the point (in the distant future) where women’s pro sports won’t be as accessible. Currently one of the debates around the NBA is that the ratings are down and whether that’s due to it being very expensive to watch or even attend a game. One of the best things about women’s pro sports and women’s basketball is that it’s affordable.
The WNBA’s Caitlin Clark has changed the game between men’s and women’s sports
Caitlin Clark, a rising star in the WNBA, has been making waves in the world of sports with her exceptional talent and skill on the basketball court. As one of the top prospects in the league, Clark has been proving that women can compete at the same level as men in professional sports.
With her incredible scoring ability, court vision, and leadership on the court, Caitlin Clark has been breaking down barriers and changing the perception of women’s sports. She has shown that women are just as capable as men when it comes to excelling in athletics and that gender should never be a limiting factor.
Clark’s success in the WNBA has not only inspired young girls to pursue their dreams in sports but has also sparked important conversations about gender equality in the world of athletics. By dominating on the court and earning respect from her peers and fans alike, Caitlin Clark has proven that women’s sports deserve just as much recognition and support as men’s sports.
As Caitlin Clark continues to make headlines and leave her mark on the WNBA, she is setting a new standard for what it means to be a female athlete in today’s society. With her determination, talent, and passion for the game, Clark is paving the way for future generations of women to thrive in the world of sports and beyond.
Caitlin Clark has been in the spotlight ever since she became a superstar at Iowa during her college basketball career.
Clark returned to Iowa City on Sunday as her No. 22 jersey was retired in the program. A lot has happened since she last played at Carver-Hawkeye Arena—she completed her WNBA Rookie of the Year season with the Indiana Fever, and continued to become one of the biggest sports stars in the world. Clark certainly has tons of fans, but that fame comes with critics as well.
The 23-year-old was asked about how she’s dealt with the scrutiny over the course of her basketball career, and she gave the perfect answer.
“I feel like one of my greatest skills is I really don’t care,” Clark said, via WHBF’s Blake Hornstein. “I believe in myself, I’m confident in myself, I’m confident in my teammates—I try to instill that in them. I’m confident in the coaching staff on whatever team I was on whether that was here or whether that’s at the Fever now.”
Here’s her longer response.
Nobody’s faced or handled scrutiny better than Caitlin Clark the last 18 months
It sounds like she has a great group of people around her to help in her any hard times.
Caitlin Clark Gives Perfect Response When Asked About Hardships She’s Dealt With
Caitlin Clark, the star basketball player for the University of Iowa, has faced her fair share of challenges throughout her career. From grueling practices to tough losses on the court, Clark has had to overcome many obstacles in order to reach the level of success she has today.
When asked about the hardships she’s dealt with, Clark had a perfect response. “I think every athlete faces challenges at some point in their career,” she said. “But for me, those challenges have only made me stronger and more determined to succeed. I’ve learned to embrace the struggles and use them as fuel to push myself even harder.”
Clark’s positive attitude and determination have not only helped her overcome adversity, but have also inspired her teammates and fans alike. Her resilience in the face of hardship serves as a reminder to never give up, no matter how tough things may seem.
As she continues to excel on the basketball court, there’s no doubt that Caitlin Clark will face even more challenges in the future. But with her unwavering perseverance and positive mindset, there’s no doubt she will continue to rise above them all.
The second day of the second month falling on a women’s basketball Sunday feels like kismet. An appropriate date, 2/2, for two of the most iconic No. 22s this decade.
Caitlin Clark’s No. 22 jersey will rise to the rafters of Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City on Sunday, less than a year after her second national championship game in an Iowa Hawkeyes uniform. In Columbia, South Carolina, a garnet one will go up with A’ja Wilson’s No. 22 seven years after her own back-to-back national title appearances.
The number of jersey retirements appears to be ramping up in recent years as players tear through record books and schools turn more attention to blossoming women’s programs. By the end of the Iowa and South Carolina ceremonies, at least four legendary players will have watched their jerseys be raised in the first 33 days of 2025. Two left school within the year. Two more already won WNBA championships together.
Caitlin Clark’s iconic No. 22 will head to the rafters on Sunday in Iowa City. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney, File)
Retired jerseys aren’t one-size-fits-all. Schools have different eligibility requirements for jersey retirements, players have to be ready for the honor, and a lot more people are aware of and passionate about women’s basketball than ever before.
“It hasn’t been such a big ordeal, the women’s retirement of their jerseys compared to the men’s,” Dr. Lisa Delpy Neirotti, director of the Sport Management Program at George Washington University and an advisory board member of the Women’s Sports Foundation, told Yahoo Sports. “And it just stems back to — I’m not saying nobody cared, but there were a lot fewer people who cared about women’s basketball than there are now. Obviously now, it’s going to raise the profile of everything these women do.”
Clark had barely played her final game when Iowa athletics director Beth Goetz announced the honor in April during the Hawkeyes’ team celebration at their arena.
“It is a privilege for me to now make that official,” Goetz said while Clark sat near her, under the jerseys of Michelle Edwards (No. 30) and Megan Gustafson (10). “You will be the last to wear No. 22.”
In mid-December, the school revealed the date as its first Big Ten game against No. 4 USC (1:30 p.m. ET). Fox will stay with the broadcast after the game ends for the ceremony. As was the case in her playing days, ticket prices are soaring with combined interest for Clark and Naismith contender JuJu Watkins of USC.
“Strike while the iron is hot is always my marketing [tip],” Delpy Neirotti said. “Historically, I could see why they would retire [the jersey] after the person has kind of proven themselves even more [in the pros], but in today’s world of trying to get as much media and excitement around your programs, leveraging a star athlete is a great strategy.”
Clark, who turned 23 last week, is accustomed to the pomp and circumstance, whether it was record-breaking celebrations or senior night. Yet, this is the first time she won’t be playing in a game beforehand.
“It’s kind of hard to evoke emotion after you just competed for 40 minutes,” Clark said on the Hawkeyes 247 Sports podcast. “But now that I’m not actually going to be playing, I feel like I’ll probably be a little more emotional even though I’m not a super emotional person.”
The South Carolina athletics department stipulates a five-year waiting period for a jersey retirement, beginning at the conclusion of the student-athlete’s final season. Wilson, who completed her collegiate career in March 2018, became eligible in 2023. In a rare experience, she watched the school unveil a statue of her likeness in front of the arena before her number was raised inside of it. The Gamecocks retired three-time All-American Tiffany Mitchell’s No. 25 last season.
A’ja Wilson’s No. 22 will be honored seven years after her back-to-back national title appearances for South Carolina. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images)
Quick jersey retirement turnarounds
The swiftness of Clark’s honor isn’t without precedent. Iowa retired Gustafson’s number eight months after she won 2019 national player of the year accolades and entered the WNBA.
USC retired Cheryl Miller’s No. 31 in 1986 while she was still playing. The three-time Naismith Award winner played five games in the number while it swayed above her at the Galen Center. It was retired again in 2006 during a joint ceremony with Lisa Leslie and followed by Cynthia Cooper (2011), Pam McGee (’12), Paula McGee (‘12) and Tina Thompson (’19). Watkins, a generational talent breaking their records, could see a similar turnaround.
Texas Tech raised Sheryl Swoopes’ No. 22 in February 1994, less than a year after she scored a record 47 points in the NCAA championship game as a senior. Old Dominion retired inaugural Naismith winner Anne Donovan’s No. 22 the winter after her final season. Maryland, whose head coach Brenda Frese delivered the news in prank form, honored Alyssa Thomas’ No. 25 on her senior day in 2014. Georgia followed the same timeline with Teresa Edwards (No. 5) and Katrina McClain (No. 32)
Last month, Virginia Tech honored Elizabeth Kitley, a 2024 grad and 2023 Naismith finalist with Clark. The most decorated Hokie in program history wore No. 33, and it became the first jersey retirement since Renee Dennis (No. 44) in 1987.
Finding the right time
The day before Kitley’s celebration, her former Las Vegas Aces teammate, Kelsey Plum, watched her No. 10 go up. It had been eight years since the guard set the all-time Division I women’s scoring record at Washington, before Clark broke the mark. She was the first female Husky to receive the honor, joining six men’s players, and there was a months-long celebration the school dubbed “Forever 10.”
Some players aren’t ready for the honor or can’t feasibly fit it into their schedules. That was more difficult when most WNBA players played overseas in the offseason. The day after Tennessee made Candace Parker the sixth player to earn the honor (Pat Summitt’s name is also in the rafters), she jetted off to Russia to re-join UMMC Ekaterinburg.
DeWanna Bonner returned to her alma mater in January 2024 for her No. 24 honor. It had been 14 years since she broke the program’s scoring record and finished as national player of the year runner-up.
Brittney Griner, Bonner’s former Phoenix Mercury teammate, waited 12 years after leading Baylor to an undefeated championship to see her No. 42 head to the rafters a year ago. The national player of the year had a strained relationship with former Baylor head coach Kim Mulkey, who said she required players to graduate for the honor. Griner received a degree in 2019 and new head coach Nikki Collen made it a priority when the star center was released from a wrongful Russian detention.
As interest in women’s sports grows, there is more push for acknowledgement of the game’s greats. Syracuse retired its first female athlete jersey in 2021 after calls from local fans and media members. Felisha Legette-Jack, a 1989 alumna, became the first in 2021 when she took the head coaching job. All-American Kayla Alexander watched her jersey join it in December.
In their waiting era
Winning national player of the year awards is a near-lock for jersey retirement. While most Naismith winners already received the honor, there are nearly a dozen since 1986 who will be waiting a while.
Connecticut, often referred to as the college basketball capital of the world, is stingy with its jersey retirements. The Huskies’ athletic department only allows players inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame to be considered. Players also must be fully retired for four years to be eligible for the Hall.
Ray Allen (No. 34) and Rebecca Lobo (No. 50), both members of the early 1990s squads, were the first in March 2019. Swin Cash (No. 32) followed in 2022, months after she entered the Hall. Sue Bird (No. 10), Maya Moore (No. 23), Diana Taurasi (No. 3) and Breanna Stewart (No. 30) eventually will join them.
Other players won’t have the same opportunity. Notre Dame, where Ruth Riley won the 2001 Naismith, does not retire jerseys. It inducts players to its Purcell Pavilion Ring of Honor, which includes Skylar Diggins-Smith, Niele Ivey, Kayla McBride, Muffet McGraw and Riley. Diggins-Smith entered months after leaving for the WNBA.
Still more schools, such as Oregon, where 2020 national player of the year Sabrina Ionescu set the NCAA Division I men’s and women’s triple-double record, have no formalized criteria. So she could become the first in a rapidly expanding group of women’s basketball honorees.
The University of Iowa recently announced that they will be retiring Caitlin Clark’s jersey, #22, in honor of her incredible contributions to the women’s basketball program. This decision not only recognizes Clark’s exceptional talent and hard work, but also marks a significant moment in the evolution of the women’s game.
Clark, a dynamic and electrifying guard, has taken the college basketball world by storm with her scoring ability, playmaking skills, and competitive spirit. She has quickly become a household name in the sport and a role model for young girls aspiring to play at the highest level.
By retiring Clark’s jersey, Iowa is not only honoring her individual achievements, but also acknowledging the changing landscape of women’s basketball. The game is evolving, with more talented players like Clark emerging and pushing the boundaries of what is possible on the court.
As we celebrate Caitlin Clark’s jersey retirement, we also look ahead to the future of women’s basketball. With players like her leading the way, the sky is the limit for what the next generation of female athletes can accomplish. Congratulations to Caitlin Clark on this well-deserved honor, and here’s to the bright future of the women’s game.
The 28-year-old Cunningham is entering her seventh season, having spent the previous six with the Mercury. Here’s more to know about the Fever‘s latest acquisition:
“No, dude,” Cunningham said. “Absolutely not. I think that she’s a gem. I didn’t know her, but All-Star Weekend we kind of bantered back and forth a little bit. And she’s lovely. She has a lot of pressure on her shoulders, and I think a lot of people always have a lot to say with people they don’t even know or shoes they’ve never been in. And for me, I think she’s handling the pressure very well. I think she’s doing a lot of great things for women’s basketball, and I’m a fan. Like I would love to play with her one day, for real.”
The 6-1 shooting guard has averaged 7.7 points per game.
After her first three seasons off the bench, she started 72 of her past 99 games, averaging 10.5 points per game with 3.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists over the past three seasons. She’s made 196 3s (37.2%) in those three years, and gives the Fever another shooter to spread the floor.
Will Sophie Cunningham start for Fever?
Probably. It’s either Cunningham or Lexie Hull at the 3, barring any more significant offseason additions.
Hull’s defense and improved 3-point shooting saw her work into the starting lineup late last season. She also is a big energy player, which could be a useful tool off the bench. Hull averaged 5.5 points and 2.5 rebounds in 19.7 minutes a game last season.
Katie Lou Samuelson, who started 15 times last season, could also figure into a the conversation, but she saw her playing time cut significantly late in the season.
Sophie Cunningham will cheer for Chiefs with Caitlin Clark
While Caitlin Clark got to watch a Chiefs playoff game with Taylor Swift, she may have new a bestie to watch games with. Cunningham, a Columbia, Missouri native and Mizzou’s all-time leading scorer, is also a Chiefs fan, like Clark.
Hey Fever fans! Get ready to welcome our newest teammate, Caitlin Clark, to the squad!
Caitlin is a talented point guard who recently joined the team and we couldn’t be more excited to see what she brings to the court. With her exceptional ball handling skills, sharp shooting, and impressive court vision, Caitlin is sure to make a big impact on the team.
Off the court, Caitlin is known for her strong work ethic, positive attitude, and team-first mentality. She is always willing to put in the extra effort to improve her game and help her teammates succeed.
So let’s show Caitlin some love and support as she embarks on this new chapter with the Fever. We can’t wait to see her in action and watch her shine on the court. Welcome to the team, Caitlin! #GoFever
Over the past year, Caitlin Clark has become a standout name in women’s basketball, gaining significant attention for her performances. Her meteoric rise has even caught the eye of WWE Superstar Bianca Belair, who extended an invitation for Clark to participate in the 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble match.
Belair initially issued the invitation during an interview around the time WWE and the Indiana Sports Corp. announced the 2025 Royal Rumble would take place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, on February 1st. In a recent appearance on the Battleground Podcast with Tim Battle, Belair renewed the invite, expressing excitement about the possibility of a crossover moment.
“I’m always like, WWE, we’ve seen crossovers from other athletes, from different influencers, and I’m waiting for that female crossover to happen,” Belair said. “Caitlin Clark, she’s doing big things, WNBA, they’re doing big things, women over there, she’s a GOAT over there, women are doing big things over in WWE, so why not invite the GOAT over to WWE, where women are doing big things over here? I wanted to invite Caitlin Clark, like, ‘Come over to WWE, come join the Royal Rumble.’”
Belair continued, highlighting the unique appeal of the Royal Rumble match. “That’s what’s exciting about the Royal Rumble. You never know who can show up. The possibilities are endless when it comes to Royal Rumble, so I’m like, ‘Caitlin Clark, come on over. You can bring Angel Reese with you too. She might throw some bows, and she might be the last one standing.’ The women are doing big things in WWE, the women are doing big things in WNBA, so why not let both of the worlds collide, let both of the worlds meet?”
Belair’s comments reflect WWE’s openness to high-profile crossover moments and underline the company’s commitment to showcasing powerful women from various sports and entertainment industries. With the Royal Rumble just days away, fans are left to wonder if this dream moment could become a reality.
Bianca Belair Extends Royal Rumble Invite To Basketball Star Caitlin Clark
In a surprising turn of events, WWE Superstar Bianca Belair has extended an invitation to basketball star Caitlin Clark to join her in the upcoming Royal Rumble match.
Belair, known for her incredible athleticism and strength in the ring, took to social media to reach out to Clark, who has been making waves in the world of college basketball with her impressive skills and record-breaking performances.
“I’ve been watching Caitlin dominate on the court and I can’t help but think she would be a perfect fit for the Royal Rumble,” Belair wrote in her post. “Caitlin, if you’re up for the challenge, I would love to have you join me in the ring and show the world what you’re made of.”
Clark, who has garnered attention for her scoring ability and leadership on the court, has yet to respond to Belair’s invitation. However, fans are already buzzing with excitement at the prospect of seeing the two athletes face off in the high-stakes match.
As the Royal Rumble draws near, all eyes will be on whether Clark will accept Belair’s offer and make her debut in the world of professional wrestling. Stay tuned for updates as this unexpected crossover continues to unfold.
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Bianca Belair, Royal Rumble, Caitlin Clark, WWE, wrestling, basketball, invitation, WWE news, sports news, PWMania
Caitlin Clark is reportedly getting another high-profile teammate.
ESPN’s Alexa Philippou reported Friday that veteran forward Natasha Howard agreed to a new deal with the Indiana Fever. This will be her second stint with Indiana, which drafted her with the No. 5 overall pick in 2014.
Howard was a secondary contributor during the first two seasons of her career on the Fever but eventually developed into an All-Star and defensive leader during future stops. She has played for the Minnesota Lynx, Seattle Storm, New York Liberty and Dallas Wings as well.
The 33-year-old was in Dallas the last two seasons and is coming off one of the best scoring efforts of her career in 2024.
She averaged 17.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.3 steals a night while shooting 45.6 percent from the field as a bright spot for a Wings team that struggled on the way to a 9-31 record.
It was yet another impressive season in a career that includes three championships (2017 with Minnesota, 2018 with Seattle and 2020 with Seattle), the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year, the 2018 Most Improved Player, two All-Star selections, two All-Defensive First Team nods and a spot on the 2019 All-WNBA First Team.
This move comes after the Fever announced Wednesday they re-signed Kelsey Mitchell, further underscoring their push toward championship contention with Clark leading the way.
Indiana reached the playoffs last season for the first time since the 2016 campaign but lost in the first round to the Connecticut Sun. Considering it was Clark’s rookie season and the team went 13-27 the year before, all indications were the future is quite bright.
And now it is even brighter after re-signing Mitchell and adding a veteran leader like Howard.
Howard is also the type of experienced player who has reached the sport’s highest stage who can help a young Fever team turn the corner when facing the postseason pressure. She should form quite the one-two punch in the frontcourt with Aliyah Boston as Indiana gears up for the 2025 campaign.
Exciting news in the world of women’s basketball as it has been reported that Natasha Howard has landed a contract with the Indiana Fever in WNBA free agency. The talented forward will be joining forces with rising star Caitlin Clark, creating a dynamic duo that is sure to make waves in the league.
Howard, a two-time WNBA champion and former Defensive Player of the Year, brings a wealth of experience and skill to the Fever roster. Known for her versatility and ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor, Howard will undoubtedly be a key player for Indiana this upcoming season.
With Clark, the sensational rookie guard out of Iowa, leading the charge, the Fever are poised to be a formidable force in the WNBA. Clark has been turning heads with her scoring ability and playmaking skills, and her partnership with Howard is sure to elevate the team to new heights.
Fans can expect an exciting season ahead as Howard and Clark lead the charge for the Fever. Stay tuned for more updates, scores, highlights, stats, and rumors as the WNBA season approaches. It’s going to be a thrilling ride for Indiana Fever fans!
At first, Jaylen Clark didn’t realize Chris Finch was calling for him to go into the game.
“When he said my name, I’m like ‘Jaden (McDaniels) already down there,’” Clark said after the Timberwolves’ eventful win over the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night. “He said JayLEN. I was like ‘Oh!’ It was dope.”
Clark made his NBA debut earlier this month and had appeared in garbage time at the end of four comfortable wins. But when Finch put the 23-year-old in the game in the second quarter, it marked the first time he was playing real, competitive, rotational minutes in the league. Clark played the final 4:35 of the first half and acquitted himself well, especially on the defensive end. So assistant coach Micah Nori went back to him after Chris Finch was ejected midway through the third quarter.
Clark finished the game with nearly ten minutes played off the bench. His box score stats won’t stand out: 1 for 3, 2 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist. But Clark, who is known for his defense, was as impressive as advertised on that end of the floor. He battled like crazy against Devin Booker, Bradley Beal and the Suns, showing off his energy and activity as an on-ball defender.
The Wolves won Clark’s minutes by nine points. During that time, the Suns went 6 of 19 from the floor, 1 for 9 from deep, and committed four turnovers. He was all over the place.
“Jaylen Clark, that’s what he does,” Nori said. “College defensive player of the year, and give credit to Tim Connelly and that group finding him. That’s one thing that translates, is defense. He’s not afraid of the moment by any means. Very, very physical guard, and he makes life rough. I think our guys were excited to see an opponent have to feel that, as opposed to themselves like they feel it every day in practice.”
Clark won the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award as the best defender in college basketball in the 2022-23 season. He averaged a Pac-12-leading 2.6 steals per game that year. Despite tearing his Achilles late in the season, the Wolves drafted him towards the back of the second round (53rd overall) and were patient as he missed his entire rookie season while recovering from the injury.
After completing his rehab, Clark played in the summer league last year and has been on a two-way contract this season, playing four games for the Iowa Wolves in the G League. On Wednesday, with the Wolves missing Naz Reid in addition to Donte DiVincenzo, Clark finally got his opportunity. And he was ready for it, in part because of all the time he spent guarding Anthony Edwards in training camp before the season.
“Guarding (Ant), that’s the hardest dude I’ve ever (played), between speed, power, jump shooting ability,” Clark said. “So practicing that all training camp — ’cause I was on the third team, so we went up against them every day, we was basically practice dummies — got me really prepared for pretty much everybody I’ll see out there if I get more opportunities.”
At one point during each of Clark’s two stints, the Wolves were running the nightmarish defensive lineup of Clark, Edwards, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, McDaniels, and Rudy Gobert. That’s about as scary as it gets, even for a Suns team with three accomplished scorers.
After an impressive showing, it’ll be interesting to see if Clark gets additional chances to play, perhaps as soon as the second leg of this back-to-back on Thursday night against the lowly Utah Jazz. It’s difficult to crack the Wolves’ rotation, but Clark has arguably earned the right to be in the mix for bench minutes over a struggling Josh Minott, at least while DiVincenzo remains out.
Offense is a question mark for Clark, who averaged 13 points as a junior at UCLA but shot 30 percent from deep in his college career. In his four games with Iowa, he averaged 16.3 points and did shoot over 44 percent from deep on a small sample size, though he was below 38 percent on twos. How much he can bring on that end at the NBA level remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: Any time Clark gets into a game, it’s going to be a pleasure to watch him compete on defense.
“He was impressive today, man, on defense,” Edwards said. “He was impressive, I’m not gon’ lie.”
In his first real opportunity to showcase his skills on an NBA court, Jaylen Clark did not disappoint. The rookie guard impressed fans, coaches, and teammates alike with his stellar defensive performance.
Throughout the game, Clark displayed tenacity, quick reflexes, and a strong basketball IQ on the defensive end. He showed an impressive ability to stay in front of his man, contest shots, and disrupt passing lanes, causing turnovers and frustrating opponents.
Clark’s energy and effort on defense did not go unnoticed, as he received praise from his teammates and coaching staff for his lockdown defense. His performance helped his team secure a crucial win and showed that he has the potential to be a defensive force in the league.
As Clark continues to gain more playing time and experience in the NBA, his defensive skills will only continue to improve. Fans can expect to see more standout performances from this promising young player in the future. Jaylen Clark has certainly made a strong impression in his first real opportunity in the NBA, and the future looks bright for this rising star.
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Jaylen Clark, NBA debut, defensive prowess, impressive rookie, lockdown defense, standout performance, defensive skills, NBA career start, defensive standout, rookie showcase
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