Caitlin Clark recently discovered from her parents a striking detail about her childhood basketball days: she was nearly crowned MVP of a boys’ basketball league. The Indiana Fever star, who grew up excelling on the court alongside boys, revealed this tidbit during a conversation with Robin Roberts at the Massachusetts Conference for Women in Boston on December 12. Her recounting of the story drew applause and admiration from the audience.
Clark reflected on how playing with boys felt completely natural to her growing up. “It wasn’t treated as unusual or extraordinary—it was just my reality,” the 22-year-old explained to Roberts. “There weren’t many girls’ leagues where I lived, so my parents decided to let me compete with the boys.” It wasn’t until recently that her parents, Brent and Anne, shared the details of the MVP deliberation, explaining how some parents in the league resisted the idea. “My dad was one of the coaches, and they wanted to make me MVP,” Clark said. “But the parents objected, saying, ‘We can’t let a girl be the MVP of the boys’ basketball league.’”
Clark humorously recounted how her abilities simply outshone the competition. “I was just better than all of them,” she quipped, drawing cheers from the crowd. Her remarks underscored not just her early dominance in sports but also the barriers she navigated even as a child. Now a professional athlete, Clark uses such stories to inspire others, particularly young girls, to cultivate confidence in themselves and their abilities.
The Time 2024 Athlete of the Year attributed her confidence to the empowering environment her parents fostered. “There were times I struggled, but I always felt supported and capable,” she said. “My parents never imposed limits on me or suggested I couldn’t achieve something.” Clark emphasized the critical role confidence plays in success, encouraging young girls to embrace self-belief in both athletic and non-athletic pursuits. “Confidence matters, even in failure,” she added. “It’s something many struggle with, but it’s vital to achieving your dreams.”
Reflecting on her transformative year, which included leading the Iowa Hawkeyes to the NCAA Championship game, being the first overall pick in the WNBA Draft, and winning Rookie of the Year, Clark described the whirlwind as surreal. “It’s amazing to think about how much my life has changed in just a year,” she shared. With record-breaking stats and standout performances in her rookie season, Clark continues to excel in the WNBA, yet she remains grounded. “I remind myself how lucky I am,” she said. “With fewer than 144 players in the league, it’s an extraordinary privilege to be here.”
