Caitlin Clark‘s former high school coach revealed how he tipped the Indiana Fever star to replicate the talents of the Steph Curry all the way back in 2016, eight years before her professional debut.
The 22-year-old is currently the most popular player in the WNBA and is famed for her exceptional ability to make shots from range, much like the Golden State Warriors’ legend has throughout his career.
Her success and rise has been so incredible that she claimed the NCAA points scoring records for both women and overall, as well as going on to average 19.2 points in her first season as a pro as she claimed the Rookie of the Year award.
But for Scott Babinat, this was not a surprise. The Dowling Catholic High School assistant coach knew exactly what her talent and potential was as he tipped the youngster for greatness whilst she was an unknown name in West Des Moines, Iowa.
“‘You’re never going to believe this,'” Babinat recalled, as per Athlon Sports. “‘But we are coaching a player that will become the female version of Steph Curry in many people’s minds.'”
Meyer reveals shocking Clark moment in first team camp
Clark, then just 14, wasted no time impressing Kristin Meyer, the head coach, in her first training camp with the Catholics’ team in her freshman year as she rose to the challenge without any second thoughts.
Meyer recalled that the teenager produced a three-quarter-court bounce pass and a behind-the-back toss to set her colleagues up for an easy basket, leaving the coaching veteran stunned at her confidence and bravery.
“It kind of shocked everyone in the gym just that she had the guts to do it,” Meyer said, as per Athlon Sports. “But also that she was able to execute it so well.”
Meyer additionally praised Clark’s understanding of technical aspects of the game such as positioning and movement, something she was able to pass on to her colleagues around her and left her boss thinking she had another coach in the team.