Caitlin Clark has skilled a flurry of milestone moments as of late, however one from her childhood will without end stand out.
When she attended a Minnesota Lynx recreation at age 12, Clark hugged her hero, former WNBA first-overall decide Maya Moore, on the courtroom postgame, an encounter “that’s caught with” the Indiana Fever rookie, who might be making her professional debut this month.
“Ten seconds can go a great distance in someone’s life,” Clark lately mentioned, based on USA In the present day. “That’s a very good lesson whether or not you play sports activities or don’t play sports activities, the way you deal with someone issues.”
The now-22-year-old Clark is trying to emulate Moore — a four-time WNBA champion and former league MVP — each on and off the courtroom, as her dominance on the collegiate stage has continued to usher in new audiences and youthful followers.
“I simply attempt to take as a lot time as I can for these younger women as a result of Maya was so good to me after I ran as much as her, and that’s one thing that’s caught with me all the best way till I’m 22 years outdated,” she mentioned.
Clark, who was chosen first total by the Fever within the 2024 WNBA Draft final month, had a candy reunion with Moore, 34, in early March, hours earlier than she grew to become the NCAA’s all-time main scorer in an Iowa win over Ohio State.
ESPN’s “Faculty Gameday” captured Clark’s response to Moore, with the previous Hawkeye reflecting on their previous interplay.
“I nonetheless really feel like I used to be this tall and freaking out and I ran throughout the courtroom and gave you a hug,” the 6-foot guard informed Moore.
Moore informed USA In the present day “it’s humbling and inspiring to know I had a component in serving to Caitlin proceed that spirit of being good to individuals.”
“It’s tremendous candy to know that the time you are taking with the individuals who love watching you play issues and means one thing,” the six-time WNBA All-Star mentioned to USA In the present day.
“It’s not essentially about performing a sure means however being as real as I can, as a result of that’s what individuals want.
“… It’s one other reminder that all of us have a job to play, and all have the flexibility to affect somebody.”
Moore was initially drafted by the Lynx in 2011 and performed by means of the 2018 season.
She stepped away from the sport in 2019 to concentrate on household life and ministry desires, as detailed in a private essay in “The Gamers’ Tribune.”
Moore’s break continued as she centered on social justice advocacy earlier than retiring in 2023.
Clark and the Fever open the season towards the Connecticut Solar on Could 14.
