Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark reflected on the basketball icon who shaped her love for the game and inspired the way she connects with fans today
13:51 ET, 12 Nov 2025Updated 13:51 ET, 12 Nov 2025
Caitlin Clark just finished her second WNBA season(Image: Getty)
Caitlin Clark has quickly become one of the WNBA’s biggest stars, and one of its most influential role models. Whether she’s signing jerseys, posing for photos, or staying late after games to greet fans, the Indiana Fever guard has embraced the spotlight and the responsibility that comes with it.
But as fans of all ages now look up to Clark, few might know who she once looked up to.
Before Clark’s name became synonymous with record-breaking performances and sold-out arenas, she was simply a basketball-obsessed kid from Iowa, with her Hawkeyes head coach recently opening up on the toughest part about coaching Clark.
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She spent hours studying great players, watching college games, and dreaming of one day competing on the same stage. That relentless drive has paid off.
Since being drafted No. 1 overall by the Indiana Fever in 2024, Clark has already become one of the league’s most popular figures. She was named to the WNBA All-Star team in each of her first two seasons and earned All-WNBA First Team honors as a rookie.
Through her first two years, she has averaged over 18 points and eight assists per game, energizing a Fever franchise that had struggled for years before her arrival.
Even an injury-shortened 2025 campaign, where she appeared in only 13 games before being sidelined with a groin injury, hasn’t slowed her momentum. Clark’s impact on the WNBA’s visibility has been immediate, driving attendance, ratings, and fan engagement across the league. She’s also become a powerful figure for young athletes, known for her confidence, competitive fire, and generosity toward supporters.
Caitlin Clark’s season ended due to a groin injury(Image: Getty)
So who inspired the player now inspiring millions? Clark recently shared that answer in an interview with ‘Glamour.’
“Maya Moore was definitely my favorite basketball player growing up, male or female,” Clark revealed. “Getting to meet her and watch her play in a game for the first time — it was probably one of the greatest memories of my childhood.”
Moore, the former Minnesota Lynx forward, left an indelible mark on the sport. A four-time WNBA champion, six-time All-Star, 2014 league MVP, and two-time Olympic gold medalist, she became the first female player to sign with the Jordan Brand and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2025.
Clark also recalled a special moment when Moore surprised her by attending a game in Iowa.
“She was sitting courtside and just to have somebody you grew up wanting to be like take time out of their day to come and support you,” Clark said. “It was incredible.”
Clark added that Moore’s emphasis on team culture resonated deeply: “The way she talked about being a team player — how impactful that can be on your life — it’s just an easy person to cheer for.”