Clark expresses satisfaction following the inaugural training camp practice session in the WNBA.
“On Sunday, Clark expressed satisfaction with the first day of training camp, acknowledging its intensity, which she expected. She enjoyed being on the court with her teammates.”
The 22-year-old standout from the United States, who holds the record for college scoring among men and women, gained global recognition for her sharpshooting skills and led the University of Iowa to the US college finals in the last two seasons, although the Hawkeyes fell short both times.
Clark, selected as the top pick in the WNBA Draft on April 15, announced her transition to the professional ranks during the season, and her dedicated fan base is anticipated to boost ratings and attendance for the US women’s league when the 2024 season commences next month.
“It’s a new chapter, and I was prepared for it,” Clark remarked. “I had a few workouts before Sunday, which definitely helped, so I didn’t come into training camp completely unprepared.”
The Indiana Fever have not reached the WNBA playoffs since 2016, nor have they won a playoff series or had a winning season since 2015. Their only championship victory came in 2012.
“Our goal is to make the playoffs,” stated Fever coach Christie Sides.
Clark expressed excitement about the challenges of the WNBA, which begins with a preseason game against Dallas on Friday.
“It’s a different environment, but that’s expected when embarking on a new chapter,” she commented. “The coaching staff is well-prepared. They’ve been observing me for quite some time, and the strategies they have in place and the plays we’ll run will benefit me and the team. There’s a lot of screening action. The pace is fast, with a quick shot clock, but it suits my style of play.”
Returning to the court for the two-hour team practice allowed Clark to put aside the whirlwind of the past few weeks, during which her popularity soared following an impressive postseason run in college last month.
“I was most excited to get all that other stuff out of the way,” Clark noted. “There really hasn’t been a break for me to catch my breath. I feel like I’m in excellent basketball shape. There’s no need for me to get back in shape. I’ve been playing basketball consistently. For me, that’s a positive thing. I can maintain momentum, be myself, and continue to learn.”
