Caitlin Clark practiced at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Wednesday, but the arena was empty.
On Thursday night, she’ll face a lively crowd of nearly 17,000 fans in her first home game for the Indiana Fever. Clark, the WNBA’s top pick, is expected to bring a positive change to the team.
After leading Iowa to two consecutive NCAA championship games, Clark is ready to debut for the Fever in a preseason match against the Atlanta Dream.
“People know who I am,” Clark said. “It can be challenging, but it’s also exciting. It’s a great opportunity to grow women’s basketball and get fans excited.”
Clark has already made an impact, scoring 21 points in the preseason opener against Dallas. The Fever have a packed schedule, with 36 of their 40 games set to be televised nationally. Additionally, Clark’s first regular-season game on May 14 will be streamed live on Disney+.
For Thursday’s game, the Fever are opening up the third deck of their arena, aiming to accommodate over 17,000 fans. Despite the NBA playoffs causing a schedule change, there’s high anticipation for Clark’s debut, reminiscent of big moments in Indiana sports history like Peyton Manning or Andrew Luck’s debuts.
