Nearly a month ago, Indiana Fever's No. 1 overall pick Caitlin Clark sent the internet into a frenzy — and it wasn’t because of a buzzer-beater. A single photo of the former Iowa Hawkeye star quickly made the rounds online, showcasing a noticeably stronger and more muscular Clark, leaving fans buzzing over her physical transformation.
A Surprise Appearance and a Viral Moment
Clark had been attending a Big Ten showdown between her alma mater, Iowa, and rivals Ohio State when fans caught sight of her in the crowd. But what really grabbed attention wasn't her courtside seat — it was her visibly bulked-up frame.
Eagle-eyed fans and photographers couldn't help but notice the difference. Bri Lewerke, who captured the viral moment, remarked, "Well someone’s been in the weight room."
Stephanie White Warned Us
Interestingly, this wasn’t a total surprise to everyone. New Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White had already hinted at Clark’s physical evolution back in February. Speaking on Richard Deitsch’s podcast on February 18, White gave some early insight into Clark’s offseason grind.
“She is stronger, first and foremost. She figured out right away that I need to get stronger... She’s done a great job of getting in the weight room and focusing on her strength, in terms of low center of gravity, time under tension, all of those things,” White explained.
At the time, it sounded like a projection. A month later, the evidence was crystal clear.
Clark Responds to the Photo Frenzy
Now, weeks after the photo went viral, Clark is finally addressing the buzz — and doing so with her trademark sense of humor.
“It was the camera angle!” Clark joked while appearing on the podcast hosted by WNBA icons Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi. “AI is getting out of control, c’mon.”
Of course, she didn’t stop there. Clark confirmed that she’s been hitting the weight room hard and enjoying the process.
“I'm trying to get stronger, like a lot of time in the weight room,” she added. “It's something I kind of enjoy, so it's pretty easy for me to spend time in there and really work on that part of my game.”
More Than Just Muscle
Clark isn’t just working on strength for aesthetic reasons. She's using this offseason to evolve her game in more dynamic ways. Alongside her focus on strength, she’s also been developing new skills to make her more versatile on the court.
Specifically, she mentioned working on her floater and improving her ability to finish through contact — two areas where her added strength will pay off in real-time.
What’s Next for Clark?
With her WNBA debut approaching and all eyes on her, Clark’s physical transformation and continued development suggest she’s ready for the next chapter. Whether it’s draining deep threes, absorbing contact in the paint, or flexing a newfound floater, Clark is clearly locked in and leveling up.
And judging by that viral photo? The league has been warned