Indiana Fever Coach Drops Blunt Caitlin Clark Admission Amid WNBA Rookie Season

Indiana Fever head coach Christie Sides recently spoke with the media after team practice, sharing a conversation she had with rookie Caitlin Clark during the WNBA’s break in the season for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The Fever coach thought it was important for Clark to step away from basketball during the league-mandated break, given a hectic couple of months after being taken No. 1 in the WNBA draft following four years at Iowa.

Sides said that Clark “needed” the break, and while the rookie ultimately enjoyed the time off, she was ready to get back and work when Indiana held practice this week.

“She didn’t know if she could turn it off,” Sides said. “That’s just what she really needed after coming off that college season. I was like, Caitlin, just step away and breathe. I think she really did that, and she was ready to get back in here.”

Indiana Fever head coach Christie Sides talks with guard Caitlin Clark at Wintrust Arena on June 23, 2024.

© Kamil Krzaczynski—USA TODAY Sports

Clark is currently averaging 17.1 points per game while leading the league with 8.2 assists per game.

She came into the league as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, right after a deep run into the NCAA women’s basketball tournament.

Clark led the Hawkeys to two straight national title appearances in 2023 and 2024, finishing both seasons as the tournament runner-up.

The first-year star quickly adjusted to the professional atmosphere, having been drafted in April right after a run at the collegiate title.

Sides believed Clark’s one-week hiatus was important despite the rookie’s love for the game calling her back to the hardwood.