SPORT NEWS: Caitlin Clark shows why she’s a star with nine-word claim that says it all about her .giang

WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark has made her towering aspirations crystal clear as she boldly declared: “I don’t want anyone to be better than me”.

The dynamic 22-year-old guard has had an explosive year, ascending to new heights after being picked by the Indiana Fever in the April draft. She has subsequently seen her celebrity status skyrocket.

Though her team was edged out in the playoffs, Clark dazzled on the court, snagging the illustrious WNBA Rookie of the Year accolade and leaving an indelible mark in her very first pro season. Currently, she is embracing a novel challenge by swapping basketball courts for plush golf links at an LPGA event, rubbing shoulders with legends like Annika Sorenstam and the current queen of the green, Nelly Korda.

However, before taking to the greens, Clark was on a panel discussing various aspects of her life. She revealed just where gets her motivation to turn in such stellar performances on a regular basis.

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“My biggest motivator?”, She asked in response to a question. “Oh man. I think wanting to be the best. Like, I don’t want anyone to be better than me.”

Challenging the idea that anyone in the WNBA could rival Clark’s electrifying presence is becoming increasingly difficult. The pride of Iowa has already sealed her legendary status in collegiate hoops by smashing records to become the highest scorer in NCAA Division 1 basketball history, men or women, with a jaw-dropping 3,951 points, reports the Irish Star.

After securing back-to-back national Player of the Year titles, she made her big leap to the major leagues this year. She’s well-known for winning FIBA Under-19 World Cup gold medals in 2019 and 2021, alongside a triumphant run at the FIBA Americas U-16 Championships back in 2017.

The buzz hasn’t died down in her first year with the Fever and the stats speak for themselves: 19.2 points on average each game, flanked by 8.4 assists and 5.7 rebounds. She’s also carved out a place in history as the fifth rookie ever to earn a spot on the All-WNBA First Team, shattering records with an astonishing 337 assists in the season and stunning 19 in one match alone.

Even Wall Street Journal’s Jason Gay chimed in this August, comparing Clark’s impact on women’s hoops to NBA superstar Steph Curry’s revolutionary influence. Known for his three-pointer wizardry, Curry’s style is echoed in Clark’s praised long-range shots and slick passing skills.

“Clark is far from the first great shooter in women’s basketball,” Gay said. “But she’s the one who is changing the dimensionality of the game, because of the distance she can shoot from and how well she can pass.”

The Clark effect also drove historic levels of viewership on TV during her final seasons at Iowa. Following the conclusion of the Fever’s season she has so far chose not to join up with Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese in the Unrivaled League during the offseason and instead announced that she was set to recharge.

“Year one – thank you to the many people who have supported me as I’ve been able to live my childhood dream. I’m filled with gratitude as I reflect on this past year of my life. See you all in year two,” Clark said on social media.

Clark’s financial status is also soaring alongside her fame. According to Marca, her net worth hovers at a cool $4million (£3.1m), bolstered by a lucrative four-year contract with Fever valued at $338,000 (£261.2K). A significant portion of her income springs from endorsement deals, including a Nike agreement projected to net her $28m (£21.6m) over eight years.

Clark’s celebrity status is blossoming unexpectedly too. Her social circle now includes hanging out with Kansas City Chief’s Travis Kelce at Taylor Swift gigs while San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama has hailed Clark as one of the most “impressive” talents he’s witnessed.