Caitlin Clark had easy motive to skip three-point contest

“Truthfully, I believe simply, relaxation. I have been taking part in basketball for a yr straight,” Clark stated. “It isn’t a simple factor to simply present as much as and shoot off of a rack. It isn’t one thing I’ve ever accomplished earlier than. It isn’t one thing I’ve had numerous time to follow. I have been specializing in serving to my crew win video games.”

The NCAA’s all-time main scorer added that she thinks she’ll have “loads of alternatives” to participate within the occasion “in some unspecified time in the future,” however for now, she’s wanting ahead to a break.

“I believe the most important factor that’s was for me is simply, I want a break and I must take a while to myself to take pleasure in what I wish to do,” Clark stated. “At occasions that may be robust, being within the place that I am in, however I believe it is healthiest for myself.”

Whereas a lot of her Fever teammates had all offseason to prepare for the 2024 marketing campaign, the 22-year-old Clark confronted the duty of making ready for her skilled debut on Could 14 towards the Connecticut Solar simply over 5 weeks after concluding her school profession. Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes fell to the South Carolina Gamecocks within the NCAA nationwide title sport on April 7.

It has been an up-and-down first half for the two-time AP Participant of the 12 months, as she leads the WNBA in assists per sport (8.2) and is third in three-point area objectives (71), however has probably the most turnovers (145) within the league as effectively. Clark’s made 32.7 % of her makes an attempt from deep and ended the pre-All-Star slate on a historic notice, recording a WNBA-record 19 assists on Wednesday.

Indiana began the season 3-10 however has gone 8-5 since then. The Fever and the remainder of the league will go on a one-month hiatus following All-Star weekend, although some gamers will probably be touring to Paris to compete within the Summer season Olympics.

Whereas she will not be in Friday night time’s three-point contest, Clark will probably be on the ground throughout Saturday’s All-Star Recreation as a part of “Crew WNBA.”