Caitlin Clark, the rising star of the WNBA, has announced that she won’t be playing basketball during the upcoming off-season. In a recent interview, Clark candidly shared, “I haven’t thought about tomorrow, let alone any long-term plans. Maybe I’ll play golf until it gets too cold in Indiana. At that point, I’ll become a professional golfer!”

Currently, she has no plans to play overseas or participate in leagues like AU or three-on-three tournaments. This means fans won’t see her on the court until next April. However, there is still hope she might change her mind. For a player as passionate as Clark, returning to play in AU for a short stint wouldn’t be entirely surprising.

Her decision has sparked mixed reactions. Some believe it’s a well-deserved break after a year of intense competition, while others worry that an extended hiatus might affect her performance when she returns. “Eight months is a long time, especially for a professional athlete. But Clark has every right to make this decision and deserves a lengthy break.”

She’s not alone in taking time off, as other WNBA stars like A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart have also opted out of off-season leagues. This raises the question of whether athletes should use the off-season to fully rest or maintain their form and fitness through smaller tournaments.

It’s expected that Clark will mostly be out of the spotlight for the next three months. She might show up at a few casual events or Butler games, but sightings of her on a basketball court will be rare.

Additionally, the topic of racial discrimination in the WNBA came up. Alyssa Thomas recently criticized the Indiana fan base for racist behavior, though it seems to reflect the actions of a few individuals rather than the entire community.

Even without Caitlin Clark, the WNBA will continue with its other stars. Still, her absence is undoubtedly a significant loss for fans and the league. Only time will tell if this decision impacts her future performance, but for now, it’s clear that she’s prioritizing her health and mental well-being during this off-season.