Caitlin Clark enjoyed a terrific WNBA rookie season in 2024. Although she is not playing in Unrivaled Basketball, Clark is still putting in work during the WNBA offseason in preparation for the 2025 campaign. In fact, Clark celebrated her 23rd birthday on Wednesday by making 50 of 54 three-point attempts during a workout, video via the Indiana Fever.
Caitlin Clark shot 50-for-54 from three on her birthday.
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) January 22, 2025
read that again. pic.twitter.com/bCEVvYdLNl
Clark is clearly looking to improve her three-point shooting. The Fever star, as mentioned, played well in 2024. She ended up earning the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award after all. Clark did not have an incredibly efficient season from a three-point shooting standpoint, though, shooting just 34.4 percent from beyond the arc.
Knocking down shots unguarded in an offseason workout is obviously quite different from connecting on shot attempts during a WNBA game. Still, Clark's offseason work should help her take the next step in her career.
It will be intriguing to see how players who are participating in Unrivaled Basketball end up performing during the regular season. 3v3 is quite different than a regular 5v5 WNBA game, but the players are receiving quality competition against other WNBA players.
Clark isn't getting to play against other players in competitive basketball, but she is still putting in offseason work. She is also likely getting more rest than players who are participating in Unrivaled. So is there a better option?
No, having a normal offseason is a fine decision, but so is playing in a league. EIther way, the players are going to be ready for the 2025 regular season. Since this is Unrivaled Basketball's first season, however, players who participated in the league may receive extra attention based on how they play once the regular season begins. Debates will likely be had as well in reference to whether or not the league truly helps players.
Again, though, there isn't a correct decision. Either choice is respectable. Caitlin Clark was a candidate to participate in Unrivaled, but she ultimately decided against it following a long year that saw her play for both Iowa women's basketball and the Fever. She received plenty of attention as well, which meant Clark constantly dealt with a lot of pressure.
The decision to step away from playing in games this offseason surely appealed to her as a result. One has to imagine that Clark will be well-rested heading into 2025, and she already appears to be in mid-season form.