The name Caitlin Clark came into existence from her never-before-seen gameplay in women’s basketball. A player with exquisite ball-handling skills, elite shooting range, and an eye for an inch-perfect pass makes the game easier for her teammates. But all this could have vanished if there had not been encouragement to her game style early in her career.

Talking to Sue Bird, the Fever guard credited one person with making it possible for her to take charge of her dreams and make them happen.

Caitlin Clark Credits One Person For Her Game

There was much hype surrounding the 2024 WNBA draft, which was new for the league. Fans were waiting for one particular player’s entry to the pro league after making history in her college career. The Indiana Fever didn’t miss a beat and selected the 22-year-old prodigy to turn their fortunes around. She entered the WNBA and dazzled the league in her first season. She broke an astonishing 62 records in her first year.

However, when asked about her journey, Caitlin Clark always credits her college coach for giving her the opportunity to shine and live her dream. Talking to another legendary and record-setting guard, Sue Bird, CC revealed that her Iowa coach, Lisa Bluder, played a crucial role in developing her into the player she is now by allowing her to be expressive and chase her dreams.

“To be honest, when I first committed, like I said from day one, that I wanted to take them to the Final Four. A lot of people were just like that would never happen. A lot of people who are really close, a lot of people who trusted in my life, like they never believed that I could help them achieve what we ended up getting, other than Coach Bluder,” Clark said on the podcast. (Via X/clekszn)

The Iowa program, which had fallen behind the likes of UConn, USC, and Duke, revived after the Dowling Catholic High School girl joined them in 2020. Even after the pandemic, Iowa reached the final four for the first time with Clark running the offense. She led the side to back-to-back NCAA finals before losing to LSU (2023) and South Carolina (2024).

Caitlin Clark Given Full Support At Indiana Fever

Such generational players are hard to coach. In 2024, Christie Sides gave the Iowa star complete control of the game. Similar to her Iowa game, she allowed her to run the floor and control the pace of the game. In 2025, Stephanie White also followed the same pattern to get the best out of her record-setting star.

Even when the star had a little scoring in the slum by her standards, White backed her with encouraging words. She said, “I know it doesn’t mean anything that I’m not worried about Caitlin’s shot. But I’m not worried about Caitlin’s shot. She’s recovering from injury, and she plays heavy, hard minutes. Every defensive assignment, every defensive scout, she’s the top of the scouting report.”
Stephanie White and Caitlin Clark (Photo by Imagn Images)
While the superstar still has connections with Iowa, she is focused on the Fever team’s success now. But injuries restricted her game time in 2025, and the player is working hard to get back on the court before the postseason. She has nearly missed over 50% of her schedule so far.