Playing alongside a generational talent like Caitlin Clark comes with obvious perks: sold-out arenas, national TV exposure, and a front-row seat to one of the sport's most dynamic players. But according to one of her teammates, there's also a clear downside that's impossible to ignore.

"I think we're just like any other team out there," Lexie Hull said, as per Athletic. "But the difference is every little thing that happens with us is a headline on every news channel, and everyone has their opinions."

That observation captures life inside the Indiana Fever's locker room. While most WNBA teams can process a tough loss, a technical foul, or a sideline disagreement in relative quiet, Indiana's every move gets magnified.

Clark's presence has turned the franchise into the league's biggest attraction, and the spotlight that follows her doesn't stop at her own jersey number.

Hull has previously spoken about the scrutiny that comes with being Clark's teammate, noting that online comments and personal attacks can cross real lines.

Makayla Timpson put it even more directly. 

"A lot comes with being Caitlin Clark," the second-year forward said in the Athletic article. "I can't imagine having that lifestyle."

Those comments, captured during an extended stretch of road games and practice access earlier this season, reflect something the Fever have lived with since Clark's arrival. What used to stay internal, like practice intensity, coaching interactions, even lighthearted moments, now routinely become national talking points. 

Hull and Timpson aren't complaining about the attention itself; they are simply naming the unique pressure that comes with sharing a roster with the face of the league's boom.

Even lighter moments, like Clark recording Sophie Cunningham mid-interview with a mischievous grin, or the team's inside jokes and locker room doodles, exist against a backdrop of heightened visibility.

And Clark herself is aware of this.

Caitlin Clark's take on this ‘downside’

Clark has largely made peace with the relentless spotlight that comes with being the face of the WNBA's boom. Asked about the constant demand and how every moment seems to become something bigger, her response is matter-of-fact.

"This has kind of been my life for the last five years," she said, as per the same Athletic article. 

That simple line carries real weight. Clark has lived with extraordinary attention since her breakout seasons at Iowa, when arenas sold out, and crowds followed her everywhere. The jump to the professional ranks only intensified it.

Despite that, Clark still seeks out normal life where she can: gardening, doing laundry, cleaning out her car, and prioritizing rest on off days rather than extra reps. She's grown more intentional about protecting her mental space, recognizing constant availability isn't sustainable.

What do you think about how Clark’s presence affects her teammates?

Written by

Zaid Quraishi