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Caitlin Clark's meteoric rise continues to captivate not just fans but even some of the most seasoned figures in professional basketball. Mychal Thompson, a two-time NBA champion and the No. 1 overall pick in the 1978 NBA Draft, recently shared how the WNBA superstar left him genuinely starstruck.
Father of NBA and MLB Stars Humbled by a WNBA Icon
Thompson, who fathered four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson of the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Red Sox outfielder Trayce Thompson, might be used to greatness — but even that didn’t prepare him for the moment he encountered Clark.
Speaking in a recent interview with OutKick, the former Los Angeles Lakers center recalled a surreal moment while visiting Indianapolis.
“When I was in Indy… the only thing I remember about Indy is, when I was leaving the Gainbridge Arena in the loading dock, Caitlin Clark walked right by me. And I froze. I didn’t say hello to her. How about that?”
Starstruck by His Favorite Player
Despite having been surrounded by sports excellence his entire life, Thompson admitted that the experience left him speechless.
“My favorite basketball player outside of Klay was right there in front of me, there she was, and I said, ‘No, I can’t [say something],’” he said.
“But that’s what I remember most about Indiana. Caitlin Clark was right there next to me.”
Clark’s Unstoppable Rise to Stardom
It’s no surprise that even a former NBA champion found himself overwhelmed in Clark’s presence. The 23-year-old has reshaped the landscape of women’s basketball over the past year.
Clark first made national headlines at Iowa, where she became a household name thanks to her scoring ability, court vision, and competitiveness. Her success carried into the professional ranks when she was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft.
