Security, chartered flights and fans banging down doors: Inside the chaotic world of WNBA rookie sensation Caitlin Clark

Another 30 points on Saturday again showed the potential greatness of Caitlin Clark. Aussie Opal Kristy Wallace gets to experience this talent on court and everything else that comes along with the super stardom, both good and bad.

Security and chartered flights for the first time and fans banging down the doors just to catch a glimpse of a young star putting women’s basketball on the global sporting map.

Welcome to the world of WNBA rookie sensation Caitlin Clark – a chaotic existence that Australian guard Kristy Wallace is fortunate to have a front-row seat to as Clark’s Indiana Fever teammate.

Wallace helping her teammate Clark up off the floor and when the Australian is not on the floor she is awe of the talent. Picture: Scott Eklund/NBAE via Getty Images

Clark’s scintillating shooting has attracted unprecedented eyeballs to women’s hoops – starting during her college stint with the Iowa Hawkeyes and continuing in her first professional season. As it did again on Saturday (Australian time) when Clark dropped a dominant 30 points, including seven threes, in a thrilling 85-83 win over Washington.

This special performance helped the 22-year-old become the fastest player in WNBA history to record 200+ points and 50+ assists.

Her performances have resulted in record crowds and viewership for Indiana – and according to Wallace – a significant rise in people wanting a piece of the Fever franchise.

CAITLIN CLARK 7TH THREE. 🔥🔥🔥

pic.twitter.com/HPKQ4Fwuli

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) June 8, 2024

“The attention that we are getting is honestly crazy,” Wallace told this masthead from Indiana.

“We’ve now got sold out stadiums everywhere we go, which we didn’t even get close to achieving last season.

“The media is packed, the fans are just cramming at the doors to see our team.

“We’ve got security everywhere now because we need it and we’ve got chartered flights for the first time for safety.

“The level of attention is definitely steps above what we had to deal with last year.”

The unparalleled interest in Indiana and the WNBA has resulted in a difficult initiation for Clark in her maiden WNBA season.

Caitlin Clark signing autographs after the Indiana Fever’s most recent win. Picture: Greg Fiume/Getty Images

Rival teams have gone out of their way to target the gifted guard, even trying to physically intimidate her in an attempt to limit her shooting brilliance.

It’s a tactic that has challenged Clark, and while she hasn’t been regularly knocking down threes from the halfway logo like at college, she has still found a way to be effective in spurts.

She is averaging a stat-sheet stuffing 15.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.4 assists, while her 29.7 per cent from three point range should improve with more game time.

Beyond the court, Clark has also experienced envy from rival players, who have struggled to celebrate her immense popularity for a rookie.

Opposition players, including fellow first year gun in Chicago’s Angel Reese, have pointed out that the WNBA isn’t popular because of just one player.

“The reason why we’re watching women’s basketball is not just because of one person,” declared Reese, the former LSU college star who has built more than 3 million Instagram followers.

“It’s because of me, too. I want y’all to realise that.”

Reese may have a fair point, but regardless the WNBA has seen record viewership in the opening month of the season.

Opponent Angel Reese has been quick to retort that the WNBA popularity is due to one player. Picture: Kenny Giarla/NBAE via Getty Images

Both the ABC and ESPN have already had games that drew more than 1.5 million viewers.

There is no doubting Clark’s presence has played a vital role in the WNBA’s remarkable rise in viewership.

As for the players attempting to bring down Indiana’s rising superstar, American media personality Megyn Kelly had a blunt message for any haters.

“What a bunch of spoiled jealous brats,” Kelly recently told Sky News host Paul Murray.

“All I want to hear from them is thank you, that’s it that’s all they should be saying to Caitlin Clark.

“Thank you so much for calling attention to our sport.”

There is no denying the angst against Clark has been loud.

According to Wallace, though, her rookie Fever teammate has showcased a maturity beyond her years to block out all the negative noise.

“I’ve been so impressed,” she said.

“She has done a phenomenal job by continuing to be herself amid all the pressure, the money, the fans, the critics – and there are many critics.

“For her to just remain solid and true to herself is fantastic.

“She does a good job of staying away from social media and then she works really hard and always does extra shooting at training.

“To perform with all of that pressure – it’s pretty incredible.

“She is a special talent and a generational player, so what a cool opportunity to be on this team alongside players who are changing the game.”

Wallace understands the WNBL isn’t successful because of Clark alone, but she does recognise the remarkable positive impact that she is already having on women’s basketball globally.

It’s why she’d like to see her fellow female players embrace the rising Fever guard.

“Caitlin absolutely deserves to be celebrated,” she said.

“She is only being herself and doing what she does.

“The fact that there is so much attention and so much love for her. She brings all these things to the game.

“Other people bring things to the game as well and that should also be celebrated, but we need to lift Caitlin up and embrace her.

“She is doing so well and she is so young.

“She is competitive as hell, but such an awesome teammate. A solid human who works her arse off. She just does it all.”

Caitlin Clark is now the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 200+ Points and 50+ Assists, per @StatMamba.

SPECIAL. https://t.co/IaCvnDmyB5pic.twitter.com/ptTZkfKRwQ

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) June 8, 2024

Clark may hog the headlines, but it’s also a big season for Wallace.

She has her sights set on making the Australian Opals team for this year’s Paris Olympics.

Wallace knows it won’t be easy to crack the final 12-player squad, but she’ll be doing everything in her power to be selected.

“The Olympics was the lifelong dream growing up, so there is tons of excitement around that,” she said.

“I’m feeling good and hopeful for what is to come.

“You’ve just got to do the best you can while you’re in the WNBA and hope that coach Sandy (Brondello) can see that and see you as a piece to play in that Olympic team.”

Originally published as Security, chartered flights and fans banging down doors: Inside the chaotic world of WNBA rookie sensation Caitlin Clark