“With Caitlin Clark, you find yourself watching the league as well.” That’s the sentiment from Stephen A. Smith, one of Clark’s most ardent supporters, who emphasized just how vital her presence is for viewership. It’s undeniable that the rookie sensation has not only captivated fans but also filled arenas to capacity. Adding to the chorus of admiration is Natalie Nakase, the newly appointed head coach of the Golden State Valkyries, who shared her thoughts on what sets Clark apart and revealed an intriguing story that suggests the former Iowa sensation was likely on her radar during scouting.

Friday night, Nakase hosted a reception at the Chase Center, the home court she will share with the Golden State Warriors for the Valkyries’ games. While there, she stepped into the commentary box during a game between the Golden State Warriors and the Sacramento Kings. During the broadcast, the commentators couldn’t help but discuss the WNBA and the immense impact Caitlin Clark is making in her rookie season. They even drew comparisons between her and NBA superstar Stephen Curry. Although Nakase chose not to weigh in on the Curry comparison, she did take a moment to express her admiration for the Indiana Fever’s standout player, #22.

Natalie Nakase shared her firsthand experience of watching Caitlin Clark in action during her college days, saying, “I went to go see her and we were scouting. So I went to see a game in Iowa live and she is amazing. Like she’s warming up deep deep threes. You know, I don’t know if you’ve seen her live. But you actually have to see her live.”

Given Clark’s remarkable performance in leading Iowa to back-to-back finals and breaking Stephen Curry’s college scoring record, it’s no wonder she caught Nakase’s eye.

As Valkyries head coach reflected on the importance of watching Caitlin Clark play live, she highlighted what sets the Fever guard apart from others. “You see all the dynamics and all the things that she can do, not just shooting, she could pass, she can get in your face and she’s just very, very competitive. And I’m not surprised she had helped the W in a great impactful way and now we’re just moving forward with our energy,” stated Nakase. 

Well, Nakase’s praise for Clark’s influence on the league carries significant weight, especially in light of the recent dip in WNBA ratings following the Fever’s elimination from the playoffs.

Smith’s take on Caitlin Clark’s presence bolstered

The impact of Caitlin Clark on the WNBA has only grown stronger over time, especially considering the significant increase in viewership that more than doubled compared to the previous year. In her final game of the rookie season against the Washington Mystics, Clark played a pivotal role in setting a new attendance record, filling the arena to capacity. If only somebody would have thought Clark would no longer be in spotlight post Round 1 elimination, she was again in the conversation as WNBA ratings fell significantly.

Although Game 1 of the semifinal showdown between the Liberty and the Aces made waves by setting records for viewership, but it still couldn’t match the impressive numbers from Caitlin Clark’s final playoff game. Nielsen reported that the semifinal attracted 929,000 viewers, peaking at 1.2 million, marking it as the most-watched semifinal in the last 22 years. However, Clark’s last playoff appearance reached an astonishing 2.54 million viewers.

Well, ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith had already predicted Caitlin Clark’s impact, and when his words have came to fruition, he didn’t hold back on addressing her critics. “Caitlin Clark is the Golden Goose, not most, not all but, some people spent some time resenting her for,” stated Smith. Now, Valkyries newly appointed coach’s praise for the generational talent only bolsters Smith’s spirit and his stance on ‘the Clark effect.’