The pressure to be Caitlin Clark is insurmountable. Well, to anyone but Caitlin Clark.
Nevertheless, there’s a lot put on the young, rising WNBA star, especially after such an illustrious college career.
Luckily, she has plenty of support around her. Including a former teammate who’s on a similar path.
“I don’t know if there’s too much I can do besides just be a friend, right?” Clark’s former Iowa teammate Kate Martin told FOX 5 Vegas. “Being a listening ear, being there for her and being there for everyone.”
Clark and Martin played together at Iowa for four years where they led the team to a national championship in 2024. The two remain close.
“I mean, Caitlin’s phenomenal, and she is having a great rookie season,” Martin said. “I think people are really hard on her and expecting her to be perfect. That’s unrealistic, right? She’s a phenomenal person. She’s a phenomenal player. I’m going to support her through everything, right? She’s one of my best friends. I’m just there for her.”
Martin also showed up to the 2024 WNBA Draft to support Clark only to hear her name announced with the 18th overall pick. The Indiana Fever drafted Clark first overall.
The duo battled it out this season when the Las Vegas Aces hosted the Fever in May. Martin’s squad won, 99-80, although she described the event as “weird,” but fun as they lived out their dreams.
Their former head coach, Lisa Bluder, was in attendance taking in the game in as well.
About Jessica Kleinschmidt
Jess is a baseball fan with Reno, Nev. roots residing in the Bay Area. She is the host of "Short and to the Point" and is also a broadcaster with the Oakland A's Radio Network. She previously worked for MLB.com and NBC Sports Bay Area.