Caitlin Clark received a huge welcome from Indianapolis ahead of her home debut for the Indiana Fever.
Gatorade installed a 150-foot banner to commemorate Clark’s home game on the side of the Hyatt Regency in downtown Indianapolis before her first game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Thursday night against the Liberty.
The banner featured Clark in head-to-toe Nike gear — another one of the brands she has a deal with — and a Gatorade towel around her neck with the slogan “It is just getting started” written across the top.
Clark signed an endorsement deal with Gatorade in December of her final year at Iowa.
“This partnership is special because not only does Gatorade fuel the best athletes in the game, but they’re also committed to leading by example and giving back, which is what I strive to do every day,” Clark said in a statement. “I’m honored to join such an iconic brand that has some of the most elite athletes in sport on their roster and can’t wait for what’s ahead.”
Gatorade also donated $22,000 to the Caitlin Clark Foundation, which focuses on empowering youth through sports, as part of the deal.
The company released a new commercial featuring Clark this week.
Clark is looking to make a comeback from her up-and-down performance in the Fever’s 92-71 season-opening loss to the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday.
The Fever rookie finished the game leading Indiana with 20 points on 5-of-15 shooting but recorded 10 turnovers.
“I think obviously I’m disappointed and nobody likes to lose — that’s how it is — but I don’t think you can beat yourself up too much about one game,” Clark told reporters afterward. “Just learn from it and move on.”
The Fever are facing the Liberty on Thursday, who opened the year with an 85-80 win over the Washington Mystics and are looking to secure a second straight trip to the WNBA Finals.
Clark said she was “excited” for Thursday’s matchup, especially to go up against players she looked up to, like Sabrina Ionescu and Courtney Vandersloot.
“She [Ionescu] was someone I loved watching,” Clark said. “When Oregon recruited me and I went on my visit there Sabrina was around the whole time. You just got to see how genuine of a person she was on top of being the best basketball player in America.”
Clark said watching Ionescu make Oregon a powerhouse inspired her to do the same at Iowa.
“[Ionescu] continued to support me throughout my college career. It’s cool getting to go up against her, someone I idolize.”
Clark then called Vandersloot a staple in the league and “one of the best point guards of all time.”
“For me, it’s a little excitement even though I’m competing against them,” Clark said.
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