“Everybody was watching us,” Clark says. “We found a way to rise to the occasion and really play our best basketball at the right time.” Caitlin Clark‘s journey as a WNBA professional has been nothing short of easy. Though her rookie year saw some sharp troughs and crests on the court, be it flagrant fouls, technical errors, turnovers or talking back to the refs, Clark and company overcame the hurdles, triumphant as ever, as former Connecticut Sun HC Stephanie White defended the superstar from the media outrages on several occasions. But with all eyes on Clark, how could she ever disappoint her fans?

The earliest matches of the Indiana Fever showed a lack of communication and unity in the locker room. Whether it was defense or the offensive tackles on the court, each player carried an individual strategy and gameplay. Despite having more than one overall number one pick in the roster, this lack of cohesion largely contributed to the losing streak as the stagnant team found themselves nearing the bottom pile in the 2024 power rankings.

However, former Fever head coach Christie Sides fought tooth and nail to unite the team. Talk about rotations and major roster changes. This ignited a need for communication within the locker room. Gradually the players started coming closer as a team. And hats off to her significant coaching decisions and locker room improvements; the team looked rejuvenated and how!

Reminiscing about the team-bonding activities amidst the ongoing Olympics last year, Caitlin Clark suggested how they could have skipped some of the specific activities. An otherwise fearless Clark said, “Not zip-lining. I showed up and I thought it was zip-lining. It was a ropes course. I thought I was going to die.” While she commands a dominating poise in the paint, Clark was visibly scared of the rope-related activities.

Despite sensing her fear, the teammates nudged her to go first. “The only person I talked to was Lexie, because she was right behind me, and the only people I saw were the security guys, praying that I didn’t die 100 feet in the air.” And while the Fever reserve and teammate Lexie Hull served as a calming factor, the activities surely helped the team come together.

This increased communication between the players was also reflected in their performances. While the players understood each other’s culture and on-court strengths, activities like these, coupled with ample rest, helped the players build and rely on the strength of their teammates.

They realized a lot of things as a collective. Especially when it comes to building on strong players or complementing their teammates on the court. And this was a game-changer for the head coach and the Indiana Fever. So, when they stepped on the hardwood later on, the team shocked their opponents and rapidly climbed the power rankings table, thanks to Clark & Co.

Head Coach and teammates are in Awe of Caitlin Clark

“To me, I think it’s Caitlin Clark. I think it’s Caitlin Clark not just because she can score the basketball really at all three levels, but she got stronger,” Stephanie White said on ESPN’s 2024 WNBA Draft lottery. And while Clark was still finding her footing in the pro games, the former Connecticut Sun HC supported her. Despite a rough start, Clark emerged as a superstar during her rookie year in Indiana Fever.

In fact, her own teammates still can not get enough of praising how she handles the most crucial situations on the court. Talking about her gameplay and on-court partnership with Clark, Aliyah Boston confessed to her improved chemistry with her teammate. The fact that the two overall number one draft picks can understand and support each other’s style and complement the gameplay is testament to how far the team has come in terms of dynamics.

Boston even warned that the strong partnership should be enough to scare off the entire league. “I think it’s gonna be better for both of us. Last year, obviously, at the beginning of the season it was a little rough just trying to figure out that play. But now, know exactly how we like to play,” Boston said during the training camp this year.

And rightly so! With a 36-foot three-pointer from beyond the arc and an average of 16 points, Caitlin Clark devoured her Brazil opponents with a 108-44 win during the preseason while Boston. Comparing her to Stephen Curry after the match ended, HC White was quick to remark, “That’s just who she is. I mean, nobody tells Steph Curry not to take good shots, right?” 

But this fantastic showdown did not end here. As the team prepped for the final preseason game against the Atlanta Dream on Saturday, Clark swept 13 points for the winning team. As someone who was called the leader of turnovers during her rookie season, it is safe to say that Clark has come a long way.

With an improved dynamic with her teammates and an extremely supportive head coach in White, Caitlin Clark and the team have nothing to worry about. Besides, what if Fever’s upcoming stint actually scares off the opponents? It will be exciting to see how that translates during the regular season.