Caitlin Clark Recalls Boys League Coaches Wanted to Name Her MVP Instead of a Boy: ‘I Was Just Better Than All of Them’

Caitlin Clark recently learned from her parents that she was almost named the MVP of the boys basketball league when she was a young player.

While talking to Good morning America host Robin Roberts at the Massachusetts Women’s Conference in Boston on Thursday, Dec. 12, the athlete sparked excitement with a story about playing against boys as a kid.

“I grew up playing with guys and we never talked about how it was different or weird — it was normal,” Clark, 22, recalled to Roberts, 64, during their onstage chat. “You are better than many girls, so we will put you among the boys. They struggled to find some of the girls leagues I grew up with.”

Although her parents, Brent and Anne, have kept this anecdote from her until recently, the Indiana Fever star understands why she almost happened to be named MVP of the men’s basketball league.

“My dad was actually one of the coaches [in the boys league]and they wanted to make me league MVP,” Clark said. “And those parents said, ‘We can’t let a girl be the MVP of the boys basketball league.’ ”

“I was just better than all of them,” Clark joked, drawing loud cheers.

Caitlin Clark talks to Robin Roberts on December 12, 2024.

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Clark, who was appointed TimeAthlete of the Year 2024, she attributed her confidence at a young age to her parents’ openness.

“There were times when I struggled with my confidence, but overall, I was a very confident young girl,” she said. “I think it speaks to how I was raised. My parents never told me: ‘You can’t do this or that’. ”

The WNBA star said she now hopes young girls understand the importance of self-confidence during their athletic and non-athletic activities.

“When I failed, I was confident,” Clark continued. “For the younger girls who are growing up and want to be something, just be confident in yourself. And I know that’s something that people struggle with, but I think confidence is really important.”

Caitlin Clark is playing in the WNBA All Star Game in July 2024.

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Clark also reflected on her whirlwind year, which included leading her Iowa Hawkeyes to the NCAA Women’s College Basketball Championship Game, being the first pick in the WNBA Draft, being selected to the WNBA All-Star Game and winning the WNBA Rookie of the Year.

“A year ago, around that time, I was actually just starting my last year of college, so it’s crazy to think about that and how much my life has changed since that moment,” she emphasized. “It’s kind of like, pinch yourself — whether it’s getting to the Final Four, whether it’s the draft, whether it’s been happening SNL. It’s fun to look back and think.”

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As a rookie, Clark started all 40 games for the Fever, averaging 19.2 points, 8.4 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 1.33 steals. She led the rookie class in assists, points, steals and minutes played this season. Clark set the WNBA record for most assists in a single season with 337, and finished with 122 3-pointers, just shy of the league record of 128.

“I just try to remind myself how grateful I am … there are so many people who would love to be in my shoes, and there are less than 144 players in the WNBA, so it’s an even smaller group of people than probably most industries or most professional sports leagues,” she said. .

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Source: HIS Education