Caitlin Clark Wouldn't Reveal If She Is Joining Unrivaled Basketball League
After Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier teased that more WNBA rookies would be joining Unrivaled, the new 3-on-3 basketball league she founded with Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty, many fans began wondering the same thing. Would Caitlin Clark be one of the first-year players joining Chicago Sky star Angel Reese in participating?
Well, Clark was officially asked the question at Indiana Fever practice. Caitlin did not answer definitively. She also did not say no. “Honestly I’m just focused on this right now. One thing at a time. Can’t always just be moving on to the next. My focus is right here.”
Caitlin Clark on if she’d have any interest competing in the Unrivaled 3x3 League: “Honestly I’m just focused on this right now. One thing at a time. Can’t always just be moving on to the next. My focus is right here.” pic.twitter.com/cQHNj6Omeo
— Matthew Byrne (@MatthewByrne1) August 13, 2024
It makes sense that Clark would be dialed into her WNBA season at the moment, given she is fresh off the first extended break she has had in a long time and with action about to resume. But it is only natural for fans to speculate about her possible participation in Unrivaled.
The new league has already received a lot of attention and a lot of commitments. Including from Reese, who previously explained why she decided to join. One incentive for any participant is that Unrivaled promises to pay the highest average salary in women's sports history, along with ownership stake to the players.
Of course in Clark's case, her fame would also help bring a ton of attention that may not come otherwise. And it is hard to read in to her purposefully coy answer. She gave a similar one about the All-Star three-point contest and didn't wind up taking part. However, in this instance the offseason would be extra long, and it didn't take much time off before Caitlin professed to missing basketball.
It appears we will have to wait for Clark's real answer about Unrivaled, though the non answer she gave certainly won't stop any speculation.
ROBIN LUNDBERG
Robin Lundberg is a media veteran and hoops head who has spent the bulk of his career with iconic brands like Sports Illustrated and ESPN. His insights have also been featured on platforms such as Fox and CNN and he can currently be heard hosting shows for Sirius XM and on his burgeoning YouTube show. And now he brings his basketball expertise to Women's Fastbreak on SI!