‘It’s not something I’ve ever done before,’ says Caitlin Clark as WNBA star explains absence in marquee All-Star event
CAITLIN Clark gave a simple response to not accepting an invitation to an All-Star Weekend event.
The Indiana Fever rookie is currently in Phoenix where she'll play in the WNBA All-Star game on Saturday.
Caitlin Clark declined the WNBA's invitation to be part of the three-point contest on Friday.
She wasn't the only one to say no to the opportunity as the event's reigning champion Sabrina Ionescu also turned down the request.
The reason for Ionescu's rejection was due to her heavy Olympic camp training schedule.
WNBA fans were surprised that Clark didn't accept the challenge of entering the long-range competition.
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The Iowa product revealed her reason why she won't participate in the event.
"I’ve been playing basketball for a year straight, it’s not an easy thing to just show up to and shoot off of a rack," Clark said during All-Star media day on Friday, per the Indy Star.
"It’s not something I’ve ever done before.
"It’s not something I’ve had a lot of time to practice, I’ve been focusing on helping my team win games."
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"So I think just enjoying this break, I think there’s going to be plenty of opportunities for me to do that at some point… I need a break, and I need to take some time for myself to enjoy what I want to do."
Clark has posted 71 three-pointers for the year so far.
She's tied for third (Kelsey Plum and Arike Ogunbowale) for the third-most three-pointers made in the WNBA.
Clark has shot 32.7% from deep in her rookie campaign.
She entered the league as the NCAA Division 1 all-time leading scorer.
During her senior season, Clark made a jaw-dropping 201 shots from behind the arc.
She finished her collegiate career averaging 5.15 made threes per contest.
The WNBA three-point contest will involve the Atlanta Dream's Alisha Gray, New York Liberty's Jonquel Jones, Connecticut Sun's Marina Mabrey, and Washington Mystics' Stefanie Dolson.
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"The field of shooters that we have in the competition are really good, they’re all like near 40% [three-point] shooters," Clark said.
"I’m excited for them, I’ll be there supporting them, and it’ll be fun."