Clark and the Fever defeated Griner and the Mercury on Friday

Lapresse

The Indiana Fever‘s battle with the Phoenix Mercury at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday night brought together two players who know what it’s like to have constant media attention amid a transition from the NCAA to the WNBA.

Caitlin Clark , arguably the most talked-about WNBA prospect of this century, matched up against Brittney Griner — a one-time college superstar herself and a player who won a WNBA title in only her second professional season. Before the game — an eventual 95-86 win for Indiana — Griner talked to a local newspaper about Clark’s ability to shine under such scrutiny, this early in her career.

“I can only imagine what it’s like for her,” Griner told IndyStar Sports‘ Kyle Smedly. “She probably can’t even go to the grocery store and get her own groceries. I’ve experienced that before, and it’s a lot.”

Griner was a hyped high school prospect in Houston who went on to star for Kim Mulkey at Baylor between 2009 and 2013. She led Baylor to a perfect 40-0 season and a national title in 2011/12, later setting NCAA records for blocked shots in a season and blocks for a collegiate career. The Mercury took her first overall in the 2013 draft — and despite a yearlong unlawful imprisonment in Russia that caused her to miss the 2022 season, Griner is still a star center and a WNBA champion, headed for the Basketball Hall of Fame someday.

It’s a career path that Clark can only hope to emulate — and following the Fever’s win on Friday, Clark wasted no time getting involved in the story. During postgame media availability, Clark — the NCAA’s all-time scoring leader — made it clear how much appreciated Griner’s perspective as an inspiration to basketball players worldwide.

“It’s just something you appreciate,” Clark said. “As long as I’ve watched this league, she’s been a staple in this league, absolutely tremendous (as a player). So for her to say that, it’s not something you take lightly.”