While former Iowa star and current face of the Indiana Fever and WNBA, Caitlin Clark, may just want to focus on basketball, she finds herself being used as an example in debates that don’t pertain to basketball.

Her popularity initially boomed during her time at Iowa where she led the Hawkeyes to back-to-back title appearances, drawing in millions of fans, and has continued to flourish. In her brief time in the WNBA, she again has drawn attention from millions of fans but she has also been at the center of discussions regarding race, politics, and numerous other hard-hitting matters.

On Thursday ahead of the Indiana Fever’s game against the Atlanta Dream, Clark was asked about people using her name to fuel racism, misogyny, and other disrespectful manners. Something to the surprise of no one, she was clearly prepared to discuss.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) talks to Seattle Storm guard Victoria Vivians (35) following being run into after making a three-pointer, Thursday, May 30, 2024, during the WNBA game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.Joe Timmerman/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

“Yeah, I think it’s disappointing. I think everybody in our world deserves the same amount of respect. The women in our league deserve the same amount of respect,” Clark said. “So, people should not be using my name to push those agendas. It’s disappointing.

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“It’s not acceptable…This league is a league I grew up admiring and wanting to be a part of. Some of the women idols and role models growing up and helped me want to achieve this moment right here that I get to play in every single night. Just treating every single woman in this league with the same amount of respect I think is just a basic human thing that everybody should do. Just be a kind person and treat them how you would want to be treated. I think it’s very simple.”

Clark has been advocating for the players around her dating back to college, and has continued to try and uplift the league despite all of the outside noise.

As for on the court, she and the Fever are 2.5-point underdogs with ESPN giving them a 45% chance at winning.