Caitlin Clark dubbed as ‘hybrid hero’ with skills of 2 NBA greats by Kevin Durant’s brand
As soon as she landed in the WNBA, Caitlin Clark drew a lot of attention to herself and the Indiana Fever. Two months into her professional career, she’s become one of the most famous faces of the competition, setting records with her performances on the court and the people who buy tickets to go watch her.
Ian Stonebrook of Boardroom (a media company co-founded by Kevin Durant) wrote some lines about the Caitlin Clark effect, first comparing her arrival to Pete Maravich and Michael Jordan and how their colleagues watched them.
“True to history, success comes with envy. Pete Maravich and Mike Jordan faced the same shade in their rookie arrivals due to their inordinate interest and disproportionate earnings. Just the same, they put brands, leagues, and entire markets on the map.”
Moreover, Stonebrook also noted that Clark possesses traits that Steph Curry and Kobe Bryant had and can make her take over an entire region with her game.
“In Indiana, the state where basketball blossomed, Clark has a chance to galvanize not just a downtown district but the entire Midwest. Boys and girls too young to see Steph’s ascent or Kobe’s competitiveness have a hybrid hero in Caitlin who feels entirely new and uniquely relatable,” he wrote.
Stonebrook notes that while Clark isn’t the only or first player to bring more exposure to the WNBA, she’s doing it uniquely, having a palpable impact on the league’s viewership and ticket sales.