Wanna witness a basketball Big Bang? Look no further than May 5, when Caitlin Clark storms back into Iowa with the Fever to face Brazil’s national team—and the world is watching. Tickets vanished in 45 minutes, fans are ready to cram into the sweatbox that is Carver-Hawkeye Arena, and resale prices have rocketed past $2K, all for a preseason game that’s now nationally televised. If this isn’t the Caitlin Clark Effect, what is? But here’s the wild twist: a new study shows her influence isn’t exactly landing with Iowa’s hometown girls. Confused? So are we.

According to a survey by the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, Clark’s homecoming heatwave isn’t thawing the cold reality of declining participation in girls’ high school basketball. Despite her cultural superstardom, the sport continues to slide. A whopping 70% of coaches and athletic directors blame the grind of the game, conflict with club volleyball, and early burnout. Nearly 40% also cite that girls are being weeded out too early, or walking away due to long seasons and competing sports demands.

Some schools have even dropped varsity squads altogether in favor of JV-only teams. It’s a paradox that’s hard to ignore: Caitlin Clark is packing 15,000-seat arenas and hijacking primetime broadcasts, while back in her home state, the sport she’s elevated is struggling to keep its heartbeat steady. Officials hope her meteoric rise might still inspire the next wave—but for now, the “Clark Effect” hasn’t rewritten the grassroots game. Not yet, anyway. (Source: IGHSAU)

Still, Clark’s personal brand? Absolutely scorching. According to a post on X by NFTs Everyday—captioned, “Caitlin Clark is the needle—let’s not forget this”—an infographic shows the staggering number of player cards sold: Clark towers above the rest with 105,000. For context, Angel Reese follows at 7,200 and Paige Bueckers, a new league entrant, trails at 6,400.

So while Iowa’s high school gyms may be short on varsity players, Clark’s name is flooding carts, headlines, and collector wishlists. She’s not just redefining what a women’s basketball star can be—she’s rewriting the entire playbook on athlete branding in real time.

Caitlin Clark Leads the Fever into a New Era

But the one thing that draws the most attention is Caitlin Clark living up to the hype—and this season, it’s on another level. With a revamped Indiana Fever roster, Clark is poised to lead a new era for the franchise. On a recent media day after training camp, she spoke about her role with unusual clarity: “I’m the point guard so people are going to be expecting a lot from me. I need to be there for my teammates, be an extension of Steph on the court and just be a great leader and have a lot of fun doing it.”

But don’t let the fun fool you—this is a team with serious business on its mind. Head coach Stephanie White isn’t just returning to the Fever; she’s returning with unfinished business. Her 2015 Finals run came up short, but this time, she’s flanked by a once-in-a-generation playmaker who’s already shifting the gravitational center of the league.

Clark and White aren’t just aligned—they’re architected for each other. One brings firepower and floor vision, the other brings championship scars and a no-nonsense blueprint. Together, they’re Indiana’s version of a controlled burn—slowly igniting a contender from the ashes of years past.

After an 8-2 post-Olympic break stretch last season, the Fever secured their first playoff appearance since 2016 with a 20-20 record. And now, with Clark onboard, they have their eyes set on more than just a playoff spot. As Jordan Robinson said in a recent podcast, the Women’s Hoopshow, “Only good can come out of a Stephanie White-run team with Caitlin Clark. I think they’re going to make a deep run this autumn.”

Clark, who shattered 19 rookie records last season, including leading the league in points (27.7 PPG) and assists (8.6 APG), is only warming up. White knows that. She’s not managing a star—she’s sharpening a weapon. “I’m a forward-thinking, outside-the-box kind of coach. I like to challenge them on a number of levels,” White has said, embracing her new team.

This isn’t just a rebuild—it’s a reckoning. And Clark is ready to lead the charge.