Caitlin Clark reflects on first WNBA All-Star Game, beating Olympics team

When the U.S. women’s national basketball team roster came out, many expressed surprise Caitlin Clark didn’t make the cut. The No. 1 overall pick became a national name during her record-setting career at Iowa and appears to be finding her way through the WNBA, securing her first All-Star Game selection.

Even though she didn’t make the Olympics team as they headed to Paris, Clark still got to go up against the group. The WNBA’s All-Star Game format put the all-stars against the national team, and the all-stars came away with the victory.

When asked about beating Team USA, though, Clark reflected on the trip to Phoenix as a whole. She said it was what she dreamed about growing up, and the reason the all-stars won was because, quite simply, they had fun.

“It was fun,” Clark told WHO-13. “Honestly, that whole all-star experience. Obviously it was my first time, so I didn’t really know what to expect. And going down there, my biggest goal was just to have fun. I think that’s the main reason we won is we were just having so much fun playing with one another.

“It was kind of just like going out there and playing pickup as a young kid. We didn’t have any plays. We didn’t have a scouting report. You’re just going out there and having fun and playing basketball like you know how to, and I think that’s honestly the reason we won.”

Clark only had four points, but she dished out 10 assists – just two shy of Sue Bird’s All-Star Game record. It was quite the night for the WNBA all-stars as they got the better of Team USA.

The league then entered an Olympic break after the game, marking the first half of the season. For Caitlin Clark, it was quite the start to her career as she averaged 17.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists to help lead the Indiana Fever. She also became the first rookie to ever record a triple-double.

After holding the No. 1 pick a year ago, Indiana is in the hunt for a playoff spot. Clark is a key part of that, and she said the final stretch will be huge for the Fever.

“I feel good. Obviously we’re in playoff contention. We’re in position to have a playoff spot, and that’s our goal,” Clark said. “We haven’t been there since 2016, so these last 15 games, 16 games, it’s going to be really important for us.”