She’s been called the face of women’s basketball, but Caitlin Clark still has idols of her own.
On a recent episode of A Touch More with Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe, the 23-year-old WNBA star opened up about the one moment that left her truly starstruck: getting noticed by LeBron James.
The Night Everything Changed
It was March 2023. Clark dropped a 40-point triple-double in the NCAA Tournament. It was a historic performance never before recorded in men’s or women’s March Madness history.
That night, Iowa basketball changed forever. And so did Clark’s national profile.
One of the first big names to show love? LeBron himself.
“Haha! But FR She’s so COLD!!!!!!! SHEESH,” James posted in response to a tweet praising her stat line. It was a moment that went viral across NBA and NCAA circles.
“He Was My Michael Jordan”
Clark reflected on that night recently and revealed just how much it meant to her.
“I think the one person who really made me starstruck probably was LeBron,” she said.
“Because LeBron was a person that I grew up absolutely loving. Like he was like my Michael Jordan… that’s the person that I always looked up to. He is my idol, he’s the GOAT to me”
Since that post, James has consistently backed Clark, not just celebrating her accomplishments, but publicly defending her from criticism during her WNBA transition.
Fire on the Court, Joy Off It
Like LeBron, Clark’s competitive edge has sparked controversy, especially during emotional games like her exchange with official Michael Price in a matchup against UConn.
But Clark insists that what fans see on the court doesn’t always match the full picture.
“I feel like a lot of people don’t realize how goofy I actually am,” she laughed. “And I think a lot of my teammates would say that.”
Whether she’s cracking jokes after a Fever win or trading quips during All-Star Weekend, Clark has found a balance: play like a killer, live like a kid.
“Once I step on the court, I’m super fiery and want to kill,” she said. “But every moment other than that, it’s not serious. I just have fun… and I think that’s hard for people to understand, and it should be.”
Still Just Getting Started
As she continues adjusting to the WNBA spotlight, Clark’s dual identity, fierce competitor and off-court goofball, is becoming clearer.
LeBron James may be her Michael Jordan, but she’s carving out her own legacy now. One game, one quote, and one viral moment at a time.