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Caitlin Clark Shares 3-Word Advice Every Young Athlete Should Hear

Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark shared a poignant message to the younger generation on October 29.
Grant Young|
Feb 2, 2025; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Former Iowa Hawkeyes player Caitlin Clark speaks after the game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena against the USC Trojans. The Hawkeyes retired Clark’s jersey after the game. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Feb 2, 2025; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Former Iowa Hawkeyes player Caitlin Clark speaks after the game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena against the USC Trojans. The Hawkeyes retired Clark’s jersey after the game. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images | Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

From the outside looking in, one might assume that Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark has the perfect life.

And there's no question that she is blessed in many ways. After all, not only is she a generational basketball talent, but she has managed to make millions of dollars through partnerships and endorsements because of her success on the court. And that's only going to continue as the 23-year-old continues to progress in her basketball career.

What's more, No. 22 has countless adoring fans, a franchise and teammates that care deeply about her health and well-being, caring and present friends, and a family who loves her unconditionally. That's not too shabby.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark reacts after The Fever defeated the Atlanta Dream
Sep 18, 2025; College Park, Georgia, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark reacts after The Fever defeated the Atlanta Dream during game three of round one for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Gateway Center Arena at College Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

However, it's not all sunshine and rainbows for the former Iowa Hawkeye. Clark is also under a tremendous amount of pressure. She is constantly under a microscope, and one false step (both on and off the court) could be catastrophic for her brand. What's more, she is always expected to say the right thing and be the perfect role model, which is something she never explicitly asked for.

Not to mention the exceedingly high expectations for her basketball career and always having to live up to the greatness that has been bestowed upon her. That can't be easy for anyone to deal with, let alone somebody whose brain still isn't done developing.

Still, Clark always finds a way to conduct herself with a grace and integrity that makes the basketball community proud, and she continues to be a fantastic role model for the younger generation.

Caitlin Clark's Strong Message to Young Athletes Speaks Volumes

Clark was the guest speaker at a luncheon of the Long Island Association (LIA) on October 29. And at one point, she was asked what advice she would give to the young players who were attending the event.

“Just enjoy it,” Clark said, per an article from Barbara Barker of Newsday. “It goes so fast. I’m only 23 but I feel I was just in high school. Some of my best memories are from playing sports from when I was in middle school and high school.

"Just enjoy it," she added.

This is advice that all young athletes should hear because everybody who played sports as a kid knows how fast that time passes. And once it's gone, you can't get it back.

And we all look back upon those days fondly, which is why Clark stressing for the younger generation to live in the moment is wise beyond her years.

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Grant Young
GRANT YOUNG

Grant Young covers Women’s Basketball, the New York Yankees, and the New York Mets for Sports Illustrated’s ‘On SI’ sites. He holds an MFA degree in creative writing from the University of San Francisco (USF), where he also graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and played on USF’s Division I baseball team for five years. However, he now prefers Angel Reese to Angels in the Outfield.

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