Caitlin Clark has risen to fame over the past few years for her basketball talent, becoming one of the best women’s basketball players in the world.

At the University of Iowa, she led the Hawkeyes to two national championship appearances and won the Naismith Award twice as the best college player in the country.

In 2024, she made an immediate impact in her first WNBA season after being drafted No. 1 overall. Clark didn’t just win Rookie of the Year playing for the Indiana Fever—she led the league in assists per game, finished in the Top 5 for MVP voting, and quickly became one of the league’s rising stars.

She wrapped up her rookie season, averaging 19.2 points, 8.4 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark

© Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

On Tuesday, Clark took the stage at the Women’s Leadership Summit during the LPGA’s Annika Pro-Am Tournament, where she spoke about her journey and shared why she plays the game.

“That’s the reason that you play,” Clark said. “It’s not because of the wins and the points you score. It’s the amount of joy that you can bring people and the young girls that will one day grow up to, hopefully, be whatever they want to be and get to talk about those moments too.”

Clark also spoke about the encounters she has with young girls at games.

“I would say the young girls that are at our games screaming and having the time of their lives,” she added. “A lot of them, when you go up to them, just start crying. It’s cute, but also, I was just in their shoes. However, many years ago, I was begging my dad or my mom to take me to whatever sporting event it was, and I was screaming and I wanted to meet the players, whether they were on the high school team or whether they were pros or college because it was so impactful.”

The 6-foot guard will golf in Wednesday’s LPGA Pro-Am as an ambassador for Gainbridge Sport. Her tee time is scheduled for 7 a.m. ET.

Fans won’t be able to watch live, but they can catch the tournament coverage on GOLF Channel’s “Golf Today,” which begins at 11 a.m. ET.