Caitlin Clark Bluntly Addresses Reporter’s Awkward Question About Sports Gambling

The attention Caitlin Clark’s received since joining the WNBA as the top 2024 draft pick is unprecedented.

 

And, unfortunately, it’s been accompanied by awkward interactions with reporters who clearly don’t know how to treat a professional athlete.

Clark and the Indiana Fever dropped their third straight game to begin the 2024 WNBA season in a 91-80 loss to Sabrina Ionescu and the New York Liberty.

Clark showed signs of progress, though. The former Iowa Hawkeyes finished the game with 22 points, eight rebounds and six assists.

After the game, Clark met with the media to discuss her team’s performance. But the session took an unexpected turn when a reporter asked the Fever rookie a question about sports gambling.

“I asked Caitlin Clark about the growth of gambling around the WNBA and how she’s dealt with people placing bets on her…,” a reporter announced on X.

Clark bluntly addressed the question, adding her lack of interest on the topic and the need for her attention to be on basketball.

“To be honest, I never hear about it, I could care less,” Clark said.

She added, “Everybody can do whatever they want with their life.”

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) applauds while looking at the scoreboard in the third quarter against the New York Liberty at Barclays Center.

Sports gambling is obviously a prevalent topic in the industry right now, especially as the WNBA continues to grow. But using a press conference to ask a professional athlete about it is the definition of wrong place, wrong time.

Clark, to no surprise, handled the question with class, though. She’s clearly mature beyond her years.

Clark and the Fever will try and win their first game of the season Monday night vs. the Connecticut Sun. Indiana fell to Connecticut in its season opener last week.

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Play video ; . . . we delve into the early-season coaching challenges faced by the Indiana Fever basketball team. We examine how head coach Christy Sides is struggling to adapt to the unique blend of players, particularly the contrasting styles of low-post players Ayah Boston and Alissa Smith, and standout guard Caitlyn Clark. We explore the implications of this struggle on player dynamics and team performance, raising questions about distribution, player roles, and team identity. Additionally, we discuss the potential for Lisa BL, renowned for her success coaching the Iowa Hawkeye women’s basketball team, to come out of retirement and take charge of the Indiana Fever. Follow this analysis of the coaching situation and find out if Lisa BL could be the missing piece to unlock the team’s

Caitlin Clark and Gabbie Marshall were teammates with the Iowa Hawkeyes for many years. From 2020-2024, they went through all the highs and lows together with their team.  They played in the last two Women’s National Championships together and fell short in both of them. But in these runs, they brought in so many fans to women’s basketball. Now, both are moving on to their next stage in life. Clark has gone to the WNBA after being selected first overall by the Indiana Fever in the WNBA draft. Marshall just announced that she has graduated from the University of Iowa in a heartfelt social media post. 

 Iowa Hawkeyes guard Gabbie Marshall (24) hugs guard Caitlin Clark (22) prior to the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks in semifinals of the women’s Final Four of the 2023 NCAA Tournament at American Airlines Center.

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Clark responded to Marshall’s post with a simple message. “I love you forever and always. My girl for life.” Clark also posted a story with more words of encouragement for Marshall. “Forever proud of you.”  Caitlin Clark’s message to Gabbie Marshall. Screenshot of Caitlin Clark’s Instagram Story