As the No. 1 pick in one of the most anticipated classes in WNBA history, Caitlin Clark has a lot riding on her shoulders. But, she says she will give herself grace and time to adjust her expectations for herself going into the league. Everyone else should remember that, too.
It feels like the entire country is talking about Caitlin Clark and the 2024 class after Monday’s historic draft. What kind of impact will they have? Will they face reality when they meet the league’s veterans? Will Caitlin Clark meet the moment as she’s expected to do?
If you ask Caitlin what’s been on her mind after being drafted, she might say giving herself grace in this new chapter of her life. Per James Boyd of The Athletic, Caitlin expressed to him that it’s a concept she learned to navigate in college and will take with her to the pros.
Here’s what she told Boyd and the media on Wednesday:
“Grace is a thing for everybody — that everybody could use in their life. Not everybody is perfect. People make mistakes…there’s going to be learning curves for me. I’m not going to come out here and score 40 points a game. That’s not what I’m going to do.
It’s learning from the amazing people I have around me and heaving a lot of fun, but also don’t lose who I am. That’s what’s gotten me to this point. [I will] continue to be myself, and I think a lot of good will come from that.”
I asked Caitlin Clark about chasing greatness while giving herself grace:
“ … I think it’s just learning from the amazing people that I have around me and having a lot of fun — but also like, ‘Don’t lose who I am.’ That’s what’s gotten me to this point.”
🎥 #IndianaFever pic.twitter.com/Yz0jehW0fJ
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) April 17, 2024
I loved the scope of Caitlin’s answer here, acknowledging how she had to mature in a way that let her be freed of her own internal expectations, and knowing that the adjustment at the next level will be a new—but exciting—challenge. A really terrific question from @RomeovilleKid. pic.twitter.com/mtsnOUfKKh
— Myles (@MylesEhrlich) April 17, 2024
