International fans have camped outside venues at the World Cup, reflecting the growth of women’s basketball.
Without a doubt, Clark played her role in that, and now she receives recognition from international fans, as shown in The Ballers Magazine’s YouTube video.
While leading Iowa to back-to-back NCAA championship games, Clark’s games have set attendance and television viewership records. And they still do.
Clark was taken aback upon knowing that a fan had traveled all the way from Australia just to watch her play at the World Cup in Berlin.
“People are spending so much time and money, and people in surrounding European countries are coming here to be able to watch us, or get our signature or wear our jersey or try to get a photo,” Clark said. “It is kind of a pinch-me moment to see.”
The remark underscores how far her influence has reached beyond American borders.
Clark has not disappointed her fans. The Fever guard has been instrumental in Team USA’s World Cup.
In fact, the WNBA star has undergone a change in her role.
Adapting to a new role on the global stage
Caitlin Clark is the first name on the team sheet for the Indiana Fever. However, for her nation, she has been adapting to a bench role.
“I maybe haven’t come off the bench in a really long time in my career,” Clark said, as per IndyStar’s Carter Jones. “But it becomes normal to you. You find your role, you find your rhythm…”
Interestingly, the lack of playing time hasn’t stopped Clark from having a vital role in the team. For the tournament, Clark is averaging 7.1 points, 5.8 assists, and 2.4 rebounds per game.
Rather than hitting her trademark three-pointers, the 24-year-old has been setting the tone in the big games.
As Team USA faces France in the final, Clark will have to ace her new role to clinch her nation’s fifth consecutive World Cup title.