In the historical past of sports activities, there are few athletes who excel in multiple sport and, though they develop into stars in a single, they might effectively have been stars in one other. There are a number of instances, reminiscent of Usain Bolt, maybe the best sprinter in historical past, who was initially a soccer participant for the Australian Central Coast Mariners, the place he lasted 8 weeks.

One of the vital well-known instances is that of Michael Jordan, who after profitable three championships with the Chicago Bulls, signed within the MLB with the Chicago White Sox in 1994, though he returned to the NBA a yr later. One other case is that of the legendary John Elway, who along with his soccer expertise, was additionally an important baseball participant, a lot in order that in 1981 he was chosen by the New York Yankees, for whom he performed within the New York-Penn League in 1982.

And the newest case is that of Indiana Fever rookie sensation and the best scorer within the historical past of school basketball: Caitlin Clark. A number of hours in the past, an previous video went viral during which she demonstrates that she additionally has nice soccer expertise.

Caitlin Clark’s journey from highschool soccer star to WNBA phenom is a testomony to her unimaginable athletic expertise and flexibility. At simply 22, she’s already probably the most electrifying gamers within the WNBA, main the Indiana Fever with the identical depth and talent that made her a legend in school basketball. Nevertheless it wasn’t at all times clear that basketball could be her path -Clark was equally as spectacular on the soccer subject throughout her time at Dowling Catholic Excessive College in Iowa.

Clark was an outstanding striker

As a freshman, Clark was a standout striker, scoring 23 targets in simply 13 video games, which earned her a spot on the 2017 Class 3A All-Iowa squad. Followers who’ve watched her dominate the basketball courtroom won’t be stunned to find out about her soccer prowess.

One fan even posted a video on social media of Clark scoring a objective again in highschool, with the caption, “She actually does keep getting double-teamed,” a nod to her means to thrive even when confronted with intense defensive stress. Clark’s footwork, agility, and vision-qualities that make her so harmful on the basketball court-can probably be traced again to her soccer days.

Clark’s means to see the ground, arrange teammates, and break down defenses is a direct results of her sharp instincts, honed each on the soccer subject and the basketball courtroom. As a two-sport varsity participant, she managed to excel in each arenas till her junior yr when she totally shifted her focus to basketball. From that time on, her basketball profession took off, culminating in her turning into probably the most talked-about athletes in girls’s sports activities.

Clark’s determination to give attention to basketball paid off in spectacular vogue. Her school profession at Iowa was nothing wanting legendary-leading the nation in scoring and assists, shattering information, and bringing her crew to the Remaining 4. She carried that momentum into the WNBA, the place she’s continued to dazzle along with her scoring, playmaking, and management on the ground.

It is no marvel persons are so drawn to Clark. Whether or not it is on the hardwood or the soccer subject, she has at all times been a standout. As she takes the Indiana Fever into the playoffs, her athleticism, mixed along with her aggressive drive, might be on full show for everybody to see. The world is witnessing the rise of a generational athlete. And this will most likely piss off Sheryl Swoopes… once more.