The Aces rookie said the pressure the Fever star has received is unrealistic.

Caitlin Clark emerged from the NCAA as an icon of women’s basketball. With a collegiate career plenty of records and with two runners-up finishes in her showcase, the expectations that weighed on her were enormous but unfair. This was pointed out by Las Vegas Aces star Kate Martin when she came out in defense of her best friend.

Martin and Clark forged a close bond over the four years they played for the Iowa Hawkeyes of the NCAA. Together, they led the team to four consecutive appearances in the NCAA tournament and reached the Final Four twice in a row, although both times, they had to settle for runners-up.

Since arriving at the WNBA’s Indiana Fever as the first pick in the 2024 Draft, Clark has faced constant scrutiny from the press, fans, and other athletes. The pressure on the rookie has been enormous, as everyone expected her to make an immediate impact on the Fever and professional women’s basketball.

Amid the storm Clark faces, Kate Martin rushed to defend her friend. The young Aces prospect considered the expectations placed on the shoulders of the Fever guard to be excessive.

Kate Martin’s defense

Speaking to Fox5 News, Martin did not hesitate to point out Clark’s astounding performance in her first year as a professional, saying, “Caitlin is phenomenal, and she is having a great rookie season.”

However, she did not bite her tongue to criticize the pressure the media and fans are placing on her. “I think people are really hard on her and expecting her to be perfect. That’s unrealistic, right?”

Despite everything, the young Fever star has not lost focus. Her first games were ups and downs, but little by little, she has established herself as the team’s driving force.

So far this season, Clark is averaging 16.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. The Fever is in last place in the Eastern Conference, ninth overall, with a 7-11 record, but Clark is making a strong case for Rookie of the Year and even receiving a first nod as an All-Star.

The solid friendship of Martin and Clark

The connection between Caitlin and Kate is still as strong as before, even though they now play for separate teams. “We’re both living out our dreams right now. We both always wanted to get to this point, and we’re doing that right now,” Martin said after the first matchup between the Aces and the Fever this season.

“So, we’re just really grateful that we’re in this position…It’s pretty cool to experience that with your best friend,” concluded the Aces guard.

Clark’s performance on the court follows the usual learning curve for any rookie. However, the Indiana guard’s mere presence has revolutionized the media coverage the WNBA receives and draws crowds to every game. The future looks bright for Caitlin despite the setbacks of the present.