Caitlin Clark is back in action for the 2025 WNBA season, and she’s making noise — both on the court and off it.
After sitting out Indiana Fever’s preseason opener against the Washington Mystics due to a left leg injury, Clark made her return in the second preseason game against the Brazil national team, and she made it count.
The Fever cruised to a dominant 108-44 win, with Clark contributing 16 points, six rebounds, and a dose of her trademark swagger. But it wasn’t just her play that had fans buzzing.
Caitlin Clark’s Father’s Unique Praise for Iowa
During the second preseason game, ESPN’s Holly Rowe caught up with Clark’s father, Brent Clark, who was asked what makes him proudest of his daughter. In his heartfelt response, Clark’s father not only showered her with praise but also gave credit to the place that shaped her rise: Iowa.
“It’s just what we’ve seen over the last few years. And I think that’s what’s special. And I think the fact that you’re seeing it here in Iowa City, it’s sort of the epicenter, if you will, of women’s basketball right now. Hopefully that’s just going to carry over to the W,” said Clark’s father during the brief interview.
Caitlin’s dad Brent Clark in game interview pic.twitter.com/gubxPFbxYU
— correlation (@nosyone4) May 4, 2025
Clark’s father’s words aren’t without merit. Clark’s four-year run at the University of Iowa wasn’t just remarkable, but it was historic. She averaged 28.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.1 rebounds per game over her college career, becoming the all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division I Women’s basketball history.
Clark also broke the single-season NCAA record for three-pointers and earned numerous accolades, including the Naismith National Player of the Year and back-to-back Big Ten Player of the Year honors.
When Clark’s father dubbed Iowa the “epicenter” of women’s basketball, he wasn’t just being sentimental. The state has become a hotbed for talent, with multiple WNBA stars tracing their roots back to Iowa. Players like Lucy Olsen (Washington Mystics) and Kate Martin (Golden State Valkyries) are part of a growing wave of athletes who once wore the black and gold.
As Clark gears up for what promises to be another thrilling WNBA season, her performance against Brazil was a reminder of her star power and her father’s words served as a tribute to the journey that got her here.
Clark’s Father Takes a Shot at WNBA Officials
Last year, Clark ranked second in the league in technical fouls with six and was just one away from a suspension. While fans have been wowed by her long-range shooting and sharp playmaking, they’ve also seen her frustration with what she perceives as inconsistent officiating.
That same frustration seems to run in the family. During the same interview with Rowe, Clark’s father openly discussed the need for changes in how games are officiated in the WNBA.
READ: Caitlin Clark Effect Explained: How the Fever Star Took Over WNBA in Mind-Blowing Fashion
“Well, I think there’s a lot of room for improvement there, particularly in the officiating… If you make the game more fluid, people are going to like the product even more than it is right now,” said Clark’s father.
In her rookie campaign, Clark averaged 19.2 points and 8.4 assists per game, living up to the hype that surrounded her entry into the league. Now she’ll next take the floor against the Atlanta Dream in the final preseason matchup on May 10.