Caitlin Clark handed LeBron James blueprint in pursuit of WNBA glory with Indiana Fever

If any basketball player knows what it’s like to have the spotlight on them, it’s LeBron James.

The NBA superstar has been in the public eye since he was in high school, and the attention has never wavered, even 23 years later.

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While Caitlin Clark hasn’t been followed since as young as James was, her collegiate career at Iowa took off just as women’s basketball saw a huge surge in popularity, and social media has only amplified that spotlight.

She had on-court rivalries with another rising star in Angel Reese, when the Atlanta Dream foward was suiting up for LSU, and must-see battles against the Division I dynasties of UConn and South Carolina, all while taking Iowa to not one, but two NCAA National Championship games.

Finishing her college career as the all-time leading scorer (3,951 points) and all-time leader in 3-pointers made and total assists, Clark appeared to hold the weight of the future of the WNBA on her back before her name was even called out by commissioner Cathy Engelbert in 2024.

But in her debut campaign for the Indiana Fever as the No. 1 overall pick, Clark lit up the league and steamrolled her way to Rookie of the Year honors, averaging 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 8.4 assists and 1.3 steals.

The pressure only intensified in Year 2, but so did the rate of injuries, which limited the 24-year-old to just 13 appearances as the Fever clinched the Commissioner’s Cup and made it to the Eastern Conference finals, albeit losing in a best-of-five series to eventual winners Las Vegas Aces.

In a recent interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews, Clark revealed that she has formed quite the relationship with all-time great James since her professional career began, who offered her mentorship and support when she was forced to root for the Fever from the sidelines.

“I think LeBron has just been there to support me more than anything,” Clark said.

“He understands the microscope that I’m under, and the spotlight that’s on me and I think he just wants to be there for me more than anything.

“When I was hurt last year, he reached out and was like, ‘Is there any way I can help you? Like, is there anybody I can connect you with?’

“Just somebody that’s there like trying to help you, trying to help make the game better, help you improve and I think that’s a lot of our relationship now and then a little bit of golf, too.”

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Clark, an avid golfer, even revealed that she has playing a round of golf with James on her wish list, showcasing the strength of their budding friendship.

“We like text about golf. That’s next on our bucket list — to play play golf together,” she added.

“I’m not sure either of us are too great, so we might be chasing the ball a lot.

“But I think basketball players just love that mental challenge of an individual sport of golf.”

Clark opens up on adversity in Year 2

Speaking of mental challenges, Clark also opened up to Andrews about the difficulties she faced having to watch her teammates compete on the court.

“The toughest moments for me were like the night before the games,” Clark admitted.

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“You’re in your hotel room and it’s like you’re on a road trip and it’s, ‘Man, my team is gearing up to play in Game 5 of the semifinals to maybe go to the finals and I know I don’t get to put my uniform on.’

“That makes me like emotional right now. That just ate at me. I hated that.”

However, it also served as a huge learning experience for the Team USA star, with her adding: “I think looking back now, figuring out how to be a good leader and be a good teammate — that’s probably what I learned the most.”

Clark: 2026 is all about chasing championship

Now fully healthy, and having put together a strong preseason campaign, Clark has her eyes on one thing in 2026 – a WNBA championship.

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“Hopefully a championship,” she said, when asked what a successful season looks like.

“I feel like we have all the pieces kind of put together now. We have had our core together for three years.

“Obviously, last season I didn’t get to play in many games, but still what we were able to do was absolutely incredible.

“I think having Steph (White) — and that was her first year on our coaching staff — going into year three, you kind of have that culture and that foundation kind of laid. And we went through so much adversity.”

Fever fans were delighted when Lexie Hull re-signed with the team shortly after the details of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement were ironed out.

Sophie Cunningham ensured the ‘Tres Leches’ trio reunited in Indiana just days later, after she penned a short-term deal, giving Clark the supporting ammunition to chase that coveted title for the Fever.

The Fever travel to the Dallas Wings for their first regular season game on Saturday, where all four of the last No. 1 overall picks will take to the court together (Clark, Aaliyah Boston, Paige Bueckers and rookie Azzi Fudd).

“I try to approach every preseason game the way I’m going to approach the game on May 9 or the game on August 12, whatever it is,” Clark said ahead of tip-off.

“They’re all the same to me. Same amount of fire, same amount of wanting to win than the one before it, or the one that will be next.”

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