Caitlin Clark gave Indiana hoops fans exactly what they wanted with her recent quote about her relationship with Tyrese Haliburton.
Clark has arguably been the biggest pro basketball star, regardless of gender, since she first put on an Indiana Fever uniform last May. Haliburton has led the Indiana Pacers to back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals appearances, with his star continuing to rise throughout this year’s run to the NBA Finals.
The combined efforts of Clark and Haliburton have helped make Indiana the center of the basketball universe over the past two seasons.
Caitlin recently spoke to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne about wanting to become a permanent fixture in Indiana’s basketball history alongside Haliburton.
“Ty and I would both tell you this is where we both hope to stay the rest of our careers,” Clark said. “People are like, ‘It’s a small market.’ But no, that’s what makes it fun. These people, this is what means the world to them. We haven’t hosted a Finals game in 25 years, and I’ve never seen this type of excitement. People are lining up three hours before the game. I literally just got the chills thinking about it.
“And they’re the same for the Fever. I think it’s just like [Pacers coach] Rick [Carlisle] said, ‘In 49 other states it’s basketball, but here it’s just really different.’ I’m really fortunate to be able to play here and he’s the same.”
Clark has been nursing a quad injury over the past few weeks. The Fever star’s time away from the WNBA court allowed her to become a common fixture during the Pacers’ home playoff games. Clark even trolled Jalen Brunson during the Pacers’ decisive Game 6 win over his New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Basketball fans often make a big deal out of stars supposedly wanting to go to big-market franchises in marquee cities like New York or Los Angeles. But Clark and Haliburton have been vocal that they’re more than happy staying put in Indianapolis.
