Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever guard, fought hard but couldn’t prevent her team from falling to the Connecticut Sun in an 87-81 loss, ending the Fever’s 2024 WNBA season. Despite Clark’s strong performance with 25 points, eight assists, and six rebounds, the team came up short in the playoffs. After a grueling year, ESPN’s Ryan Ruocco hinted that Clark may take a break from basketball during the offseason.
In her second playoff game, Clark played all 40 minutes and showcased her skills with efficient shooting, but her efforts weren’t enough to secure a win. As the game wound down, Ruocco revealed that Clark has decided against playing any offseason basketball. This means she won’t be joining standout rookie Angel Reese in the upcoming Unrivaled League, a 3v3 women’s basketball competition launching in January. The league, founded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, offers six-figure salaries and has already attracted top players, including Reese and UConn star Paige Bueckers.
Clark, the first overall pick by the Fever in April, had led the University of Iowa to the NCAA title game just nine days prior to being drafted. After Wednesday’s game, she was asked about her offseason plans but remained vague, hinting at stepping away from basketball for a while. “I haven’t thought too far down the line. I’m gonna play some golf…until it becomes too cold in Indiana. I’ll become a professional golfer,” she joked, avoiding direct questions about her potential involvement in the Unrivaled League.
Reflecting on her whirlwind year, Clark acknowledged the need for some personal time, noting how fast everything had happened since her college career ended and she moved to the WNBA. “I feel like I didn’t even have time to really reflect on my college career because it ended so fast,” she said, adding that she now wants to enjoy some downtime and reflect on her accomplishments.
Clark played a pivotal role in breaking the Fever’s eight-year postseason drought, leading the WNBA in assists. While she plans to take a break, she hinted that it won’t be long before she picks up a basketball again, saying, “I’m sure I’ll get bored and pick up a basketball.”
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