Before Caitlin Clark even dressed up for her first Fever matchup, a fan at her introductory Indiana Pacers game requested to sign her laminated ultrasound. The touted 2024 first-overall pick did not blink and autographed for, technically, her youngest fan. The Clark hype in the basketball state of Indiana was never a secret. Over 2.4 million people watched the 2024 WNBA draft live, and their home court was a massive sellout for their first-overall pick.

In every home game since her arrival, the fans flock to the Gainbridge Fieldhouse hours before the buzzer rings– not to get to their seats quicker, but to get one sign from Caitlin Clark. The reigning league ROTY spends at least 5 minutes before and after the games with her screaming young fans. She had already noted, “For me, it’s just five minutes. For them, it’s a memory.” 

Her biggest targets? The young girls who look up to her. Of course, she was once a young basketball aspirant looking up to Maya Moore in Minnesota Lynx games. Now, she wants to pay the love forward. As a result, she turns every road game into a home game with a sea of red or blue No. 22s dominating the stands. Loss or win, playing or sidelined, does not matter. It was visible in Fever’s 100-91 loss against the LA Sparks, where Clark held her heavy crown and showed why she is touted as the league’s face.

The Indiana Fever traveled to the West in hopes of continuing the season’s biggest winning streak against the Sparks in the Crypto.com Arena. No wonder, the Caitlin Clark effect was already present in LA, but the point guard did not flinch. That’s exactly what one Clark fan tweeted, “caitlin was getting swarmed signing autographs and the security guy had to tell the fans to chill out and then she was like ok back to it!”

In the attached video, fans swarmed around the tunnel exit to take a glimpse of the Indiana star or get her autograph. While she had already started signing, she asked the security to calm the followers. When the security made sure everything was under control, she returned to signing for the young fans instead of leaving, ensuring they got what they came for.

The reigning league assists leader is still nursing her groin injury, with a possible return date set for later this month. However, she understands the fans came to watch her play and shoot her classic logo-3s. Though she cannot give them that, she is ready to sign their jerseys, basketballs, and other memorabilia. Interestingly, this was despite their own player, Cameron Brink, finally returning to the depth after a year of being sidelined by her ACL injury. 

While her absence continues to plague the team, it hasn’t stopped the overwhelming love and support the Indiana Fever star has been receiving. This gesture is a testament to Caitlin Clark’s love and understanding she has cultivated over her years at Iowa and Indiana for her fans.

Her ever-growing fan base continues to extend support amidst speculations surrounding Clark’s definitive return. ESPN’s official website marks it as August 12, but it might come before locking horns with none other than her on-court rival. Of course, we already know her effect on the Chicago crowd. It was visible in their last matchup.

Caitlin Clark’s popularity reaches the rival arena

If you consider Caitlin Clark to be the face of the league, you are not alone! The Athletic’s latest anonymous player voting has already landed the reigning league ROTY as one. The Indiana Fever star has been beloved and a fan favorite before she even set foot in the W, thanks to her last two seasons as a Hawkeye. She is highly marketable, has a reputable public image, and is a competitive beast on the basketball court! No wonder the fans could not help but surround Clark before the game against the Chicago Sky.

Both teams might have an underlying rivalry with everything that happened last season, and with Reese’s presence in the Windy City’s squad. But when Clark stepped into the Wintrust Arena on June 07, she came across an outrageous fan while signing jerseys.

This young fan handed over a Chicago Sky jersey in hopes of a reaction. And that’s precisely how the scene transpired. On receiving the jersey, Clark immediately blurted, “Yeah, not happening.” Moreover, the athlete almost immediately moved on from the Sky tee to the #22 jersey.

However, Clark broke into her classic smirk soon after. And guess what! The Sky fan too joined the athlete and indulged in a lighthearted moment. “I grew up loving rivalries,” Clark said. “I grew up in Iowa. Iowa-Iowa State. That’s like a pro matchup in the state of Iowa … I think for the fans, it’s great. They love it. I mean, Chicago is the closest team to us.”

At the end of the day, the Fever clinched a dominant 79-52 win against the Sky that day. But for Clark, her effect has certainly spread even to other cities. And the LA Sparks incident was just one of many where the fans have shown their love for the point guard.