There was a lot of pressure on Caitlin Clark even before the Indiana Fever rookie was selected first overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft. It more than likely doubled when she became a WNBA player, but teammate Katie Lou Samuelson has nothing but praise for how Clark has handled the pressure.

Speaking to reporters after their final practice before the 2024 WNBA playoffs, Samuelson was asked about her thoughts on Clark’s rookie season.

She reckons the 22-year-old rookie has been graceful in how she has managed all the pressure, expectations, drama and toxicity surrounding her. Samuelson said:

“I think she handled it great. She always surprises me in a way that she is always herself. She’s always light. She’s always having fun with all this attention and all this pressure.
“Things being said, positive and negative about her. She always come in every single day, and it’s the same Caitlin.”
She added:

“It’s very consistent. It’s been a cool thing to see. I didn’t know her at all before being on this team. It’s been awesome to see her and learn how she is as a person.
“Even as the season and see the growth, people don’t get to see her behind the scenes always. She’s really just as goofy as she seems she is every single day.”

Caitlin Clark and Katie Lou Samuelson arrived at the Indiana Fever at the same time. Clark was the first overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, while Samuelson was a big free agent signing after a one-year hiatus due to pregnancy.

Both started the season as starters, but Samuelson lost her place in the lineup to Lexie Hull after the Olympic break. Hull offered more than Samuelson, like defense and consistent 3-point shooting. She continued to get minutes off the bench and has gracefully accepted her new role in Indiana ahead of the playoffs.

One of the most impressive feats accomplished by Caitlin Clark this season is helping the Indiana Fever snap a seven-year postseason drought. It was a total team effort, but Clark has been at the center of Indiana’s success this season as they are set to make their first playoff appearance since 2016.

The Fever face the Connecticut Sun in the first round of the 2024 WNBA playoffs. The first two games of the series will be at the Mohegan Sun Arena, as Connecticut has homecourt advantage due to finishing as the No. 3 seed.

If Indiana can steal one game, Game 3 will be played at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Connecticut dominated its season series against the Fever. The Sun won the first three early in the campaign before Indiana won the fourth and final matchup late last month.

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