Team Brazil coach gives high praise to Caitlin Clark: 'You've changed the history in basketball'
The Carver-Hawkeye Arena sold-out crowd got to see Caitlin Clark in action once more, but this time, she was wearing an Indiana Fever jersey instead of her black and yellow Iowa threads.
The Fever's second WNBA preseason game was a special one, as the Brazil National Team traveled to Iowa City to take on Indiana in an exhibition game.
During the 108-44 rout by the Fever, Team Brazil head coach Leo Figueiro shared a nice moment with Clark during the second quarter when he went over to her in between whistles.
Clark was mic'd up for the game, so that moment was shared for the world to hear.
"You're an amazing player, congratulations," Figueiro said to Clark, who went up to him to see how he was. "You've changed the history in basketball."
Clark gave a very professional answer.
"I appreciate it," she said. "Thanks for coming here and playing us."
Clark switched the conversation from her to Team Brazil.
"Most people you've played in front of?" Clark asked, to which Figueiro responded, "Yeah."
It might have been a blowout, but Team Brazil was not mad after the game. One could tell they enjoyed the crowd and interacting with players, while showcasing their own skill. Clark and others took pictures and spoke with the players after the game.
After the game, Clark was asked about the crowd that poured into the arena to see her play in her old stomping grounds.
"I certainly give the fans something to cheer about. That's my goal," Clark said, per HawkCentral. "Get them involved. Get them loud. Because, I told my teammates, it's going to be the loudest arena you've ever played in. So, I've got to make a few shots and be able to get them on their feet."
Clark looked just as she did for the Hawkeyes, pulling up at the logo for a deep three-pointer, which had the crowd roaring. She finished with 14 points in just over 18 minutes of play, her first of the 2025 season, as she sat out against the Washington Mystics in the Fever's first preseason game.
The 2024 Rookie of the Year is ready to take the next step in year two in the WNBA, but this matchup against Team Brazil is yet another reminder of how Clark is playing an enormous role in changing the game of basketball and women's sports as a whole.
Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Satou Sabally Speaks on Playing Against Her Former WNBA Team
Satou Sabally Speaks on Playing Against Her Former WNBA Team originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Phoenix Mercury star Satou Sabally is ready to face her former WNBA team, the Dallas Wings, on Wednesday. It will be the first time that Sabally will play against the team that drafted her. Ahead of the contest, the two-time All-Star talked to the media about her thoughts. Advertisement During her time in Dallas, Sabally developed into one of the best forwards in the WNBA. She spent five seasons playing for the Wings and earned her first All-Star selection in 2021. In her fourth year, she was selected for another All-Star and won the Most Improved Player award. However, she was part of a four-team trade in February, which landed her with the Mercury. Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally gets called for an offensive foul on Seattle Storm guard Skylar Scuteri-Imagn Images She was asked what she thinks about playing against her former team. Sabally played it cool and said that the Mercury will face a "regular opponent." "I'm really excited to play in front of our home crowd and just kind of face a regular opponent," Sabally said, via Aya Abdeen. "I feel like I really take it game by game and it's just a regular game. But I'm excited to see the people." In her first season with the Mercury, Sabally has shown that she's one of the top talents in the league. The 6-foot-4 power forward is averaging at least 20 points for the first time in her career. The German-American is averaging 20.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and three assists on 39.9% shooting from the field. Advertisement Sabally and the Mercury are coming off an 89-77 loss against the Seattle Storm. The starting forward had 22 points, five rebounds and six assists. But it wasn't enough to lead them to a win. Phoenix wants to get past Dallas (1-9) with a win and potentially improve to 7-4. Related: Paige Bueckers Finds Inspiration From Former Mercury Star's Longevity This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Paige Bueckers Finds Inspiration From Former Mercury Star's Longevity
Paige Bueckers Finds Inspiration From Former Mercury Star's Longevity originally appeared on Athlon Sports. On Wednesday, Dallas Wings rookie Paige Bueckers returns to action against the Phoenix Mercury. Due to the WNBA's concussion protocol, Bueckers had to miss a few games for the Wings. Following that, she had an illness, which made her miss four straight games. Advertisement Ahead of the contest, Bueckers entertained the media as she returned to the lineup. One of the questions was about her thoughts on former Mercury star Diana Taurasi. The basketball icon spent her entire 20-year career in Phoenix and retired after the 2024 season. She didn't stay for one more year to have the chance to play against Bueckers, whom she views as the best player in the league. Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers warms up before a game against the Chicago Sky at the Wintrust Gorski-Imagn Images During her time with reporters, Bueckers was asked about her thoughts on the future Hall of Fame player. According to her, she's looked up to Taurasi since she was young and looks at her greatness as "inspiring." Advertisement "I've looked up to DT (Diana Taurasi) ever since I was little, and she's the shoes that I want to fill," Bueckers said. "And the greatness that she carried on and off the court is something that I truly admired, and it was inspiring to me. The former UConn star also commented on the 43-year-old's longevity and how she wants to imitate it. "Definitely," when asked if she would have preferred to play against Taurasi, the Rookie of the Year nominee said. "I wish I got to compete against her. But she had a great, long career. Longevity is something that I want to do as well." Like Bueckers, Taurasi was an icon for UConn from 2000 to 2004. They have a lot of similarities in their basketball career. Both won the NCAA championship and were picked first overall in their respective draft classes. Advertisement Drawing inspiration from Taurasi is a good sign for what's to come for Buecker's career. Related: Paige Bueckers Grabs Attention Before WNBA Return This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
Associated Press
an hour ago
- Associated Press
Rickea Jackson scores a career-high 30 points to help the Sparks beat the Aces, 97-89
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Rickea Jackson scored a career-high 30 points, Azura Stevens had 19 points and 10 rebounds and the Los Angeles Sparks beat the Las Vegas Aces 97-89 on Wednesday night. The Aces were without star center A'ja Wilson for the final 11 minutes of the game after she left with 1:17 left in the third quarter with a head injury. She was accidentally hit in the face on Dearica Hamby's drive to the basket. Jackson went 11 of 17 from the field, including 4 of 8 from 3-point range, and 4 of 5 at the free-throw line to top her previous best of 25 points against Dallas last season. Hamby scored 19 points for Los Angeles (4-7) to go with eight rebounds and seven assists. Kelsey Plum had 13 points and nine assists against her former team. Jackie Young tied her career high with 34 points and Chelsea Gray added 28 for Las Vegas (4-4), which has lost two straight games. Wilson was 2 of 12 from the field and 9 of 10 at the free-throw line to finish with 13 points, eight rebounds and five assists in 28 minutes. Young scored 14 straight Las Vegas points in the second quarter. Hamby, Stevens and Jackson all scored in double figures in the first half to help Los Angeles build a 50-41 lead. ___ AP WNBA:
