Caitlin Clark celebrates after winning a half-court shot contest in Indiana Fever practice… before teammate Kelsey Mitchell jokes that she needs to back up as it’s her ‘regular shot’ anyway

Caitlin Clark celebrated after winning an Indiana Fever practice half-court shot contest, before teammate Kelsey Mitchell joked it was unfair because Clark needed to back up as it’s her ‘regular shot’ anyway.

Alongside her tenacity and ability to facilitate her team’s overall offense, Clark has become known for taking shots from far beyond the 3-point line, with some swishing from near any team’s half-court logo.

Clark’s first attempt at breaking the NCAA’s overall scoring record came with a 3-point attempt from almost-40 feet away from the hoop, with the attempt hitting the rim and not dropping through the cylinder.

After hitting the contest-winning shot, Clark was mobbed by her teammates before Mitchell took over with her joking criticism of the unfair advantage.

‘She needs to start all the way back there because her regular shot starts right near,’ Mitchell said, pointing her at the base line, then at the half-court line.

Clark was mobbed by teammates after winning a practice half-court shooting contest

Expectations for Clark in the WNBA are huge with her star power and record-breaking ability

Clark has yet to play in a WNBA game, with the Fever’s preseason starting on Friday against the Dallas Wings. Yet, there’s a feeling of uncharted territory with her arrival from Iowa.

The regular season does not officially start until May 14. That has not stopped ticket prices from soaring for Indiana’s home games and wherever the team is playing across the nation.

Clark was mobbed by teammates after winning a practice half-court shooting contest

Expectations for Clark’s impact on the WNBA are massive, in line with what she delivered over the last 13 months in college basketball.

Four times in that period, the collegiate women’s basketball all-time television viewership record with broken, with a Clark-led Iowa team taking part in each game.

 

Caitlin Clark gets back on the court as Indiana Fever’s superstar recruit begins training camp with her new team after No. 1 selection at the WNBA Draft

Caitlin Clark has turned her focus back to basketball amid her quick rise to fame over the last two years, as training camp is now open for the WNBA‘s Indiana Fever.

As the newest member of the team, Clark is learning how she’ll fit into a new offensive system, building chemistry with her new teammates and learning the nuances of what it means to be the league’ highest-profile rookie.

Sure, Clark anticipates some bumps this season; she wouldn’t expect anything less. But giving the sport she loves her full attention is really all Clark ever wanted.

‘I think that’s what I was most excited for, getting all that stuff out of the way,’ the former Iowa star said on Day 1 of Indiana’s training camp on Sunday. ‘The draft was amazing, New York City was amazing, Los Angeles was amazing, but I was excited to get here and get back to playing basketball, you know, doing my job.’

Over the last two seasons, these WNBA rookies have created the kind of buzz around women’s basketball most fans only dreamed about, and Clark is undisputedly at the head of the class.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, 22, got her first taste of the team’s training camp on Sunday

She was excited to return to basketball after a busy month that saw her travel and get drafted

Clark (center left) in practice with teammates, including Erica Wheeler (center) in Indianapolis

The former Iowa guard took part in scrimmages as she gears up to the demands of the WNBA

, Clark can shine outside the confines of the NCAA.

The former Iowa guard took part in scrimmages as she gears up to the demands of the WNBA