Caitlin Clark’s Sage Advice for WNBA Rookies After Historic Debut Season

Caitlin Clark somehow managed to live up to the hype.

After some early season struggles while getting acclimated to the speed and physicality of pro basketball, the Indiana Fever sensation cemented herself as one of the WNBA’s best players during her historic debut.

Clark was a runaway winner for Rookie of the Year and became the first rookie since future Hall-of-Famer Candace Parker in 2008 to be named First Team All-WNBA.

The only other rookies in league history to earn All-WNBA honors? Sue Bird, Tamika Catchings and Diana Taurasi, basketball legends who helped pave the way for Clark’s ascent to superstardom.

Fever star Caitlin Clark gestures to the crowd during a game against the Sky.

Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Barely more than six months after her illustrious college career at Iowa came to a close, Clark’s focus is suddenly set on helping the Fever level up in 2025.

But the 22-year-old still had time to reflect on her rookie campaign with The Players’ Tribune, sending some sage advice to the next wave of young players who will be entering the WNBA.

“Allow yourself some grace — you’ll learn, you’ll catch on, and you’ll get comfortable as time goes on” Clark said for The Players’ Tribune’s WNBA Rookie Survival Guide. “Have fun; it goes by so fast, so you’ve got to soak it in.”

The “grace” Clark eventually found as a rookie surely played a major role in her drastically improved performance and Indiana’s resulting climb up the standings. The Fever started 3-10 but won 17 of their last 27 games to end the regular season at .500 and make the playoffs, where they fell to the Connecticut Sun.

Next season’s rookies would be wise to heed Clark’s advice, especially before they face off with her in 2025. Welcoming as she is off the court, it’s safe to say Clark will take a much different approach with WNBA newbies in the heat of competition.