DALLAS — Caitlin Clark spoke to the media on Friday ahead of the Indiana Fever’s sold-out pre-season matchup against the Dallas Wings.
Clark just landed an endorsement deal with Nike, went No. 1 in the WNBA draft, and became the NCAA's all-time leading scorer in college basketball history with 3,685 career points before that.
“Coming off the college season – it’s a quick turnaround, but for myself, I feel like that’s a good thing. I think the best way to learn, get my feet under me is to play,” Clark said Friday. “I’m just excited to get out there, and learn a lot.”
Clark said she feels prepared for the pressures of the WNBA after her college career.
“The pressure’s always been there whether I’ve been in college or now that I’m starting my WNBA career,” Clark said. “I think just go about it the same way I always do, prepare the same way, have the same confidence and belief I have in myself. But also, I get to play with such great talent. It’s not just me out there, great coaching staff, great players.”
“I want to step on the court, then I want to leave the court tonight and feel like I played like Caitlin Clark,” she added.
Friday night's game against the Wings isn’t Clark’s first stop in DFW or at College Park Center on the University of Texas at Arlington campus.
“I think about the Final Four we had my junior year because we played here. I actually came to a game here last year when the Wings played the Lynx. It’s cool coming back here. I’ve been in this arena before and I know their fans definitely bring the energy,” Clark said. “I expect there to be a great crowd as always.”
The Wings have also been growing in popularity and success recently. They cap off the 2023 season with a semifinal appearance and set all-time franchise records for ticket revenue, single-game sales, and average ticket price. In 2024, season tickets for suites and courtside seats, too, are sold out.
Tipoff at the College Park Center is at 7 p.m.