“My teammates ride my emotions whether I like it or not, whether it’s positive or whether it’s negative.” Caitlin Clark made this point just before getting drafted to Indiana Fever for her rookie season on the big stage. From the moment she joined the Fever, Clark’s influence became undeniable. Coach Cristie Sides even attested that the rookie has brought in the competitive spirit now reflected in her team; seemingly a little bit more in Lexie Hull there. But it is Kate Martin now who notes that.

The LV Aces rookie pointed out that Caitlin Clark’s presence and her growing friendship with Lexie Hull closely tie into the guard’s improvement. She highlighted, “The best part of her game is her ability to make her teammates better. When you’re that great of a player and that confident, other people start to believe it (about themselves) too.” Martin knows this firsthand obviously as she has spent four years alongside Clark at Iowa, where the duo led the team to consecutive NCAA finals.

It’s no exaggeration to say that Caitlin Clark never misses an opportunity to hype up her teammates. After Lexie Hull dropped 22 critical points against the Seattle Storm, helping the Fever avoid a sweep, the Fever No.22 wasted no time showing her support. She admired Hull and tweeted, “This is now a Lexie Hull fan account.”

In fact, Hull herself has admitted what Iowa alum brings to the locker room. “Having her on your team makes your team better. I watched her in college and I was really impressed with her playmaking,” stated Hull who has also been a close friend of Clark since she joined Fever. This season, Hull is enjoying her best performance yet, having played 34 games and averaging a career-high 5.5 points per game.

While Kate Martin is the latest to praise Caitlin Clark’s leadership, another Iowa associate has noted it before. A few months ago, Clark’s former Iowa coach, Lisa Bluder, also emphasized the strong leadership qualities that Clark brings to the court.

Lisa Bluder shed light on Caitlin Clark’s leadership months ago

During her four years at Iowa, longtime coach Lisa Bluder closely mentored Caitlin Clark. As the no.22 transitioned from college basketball to the WNBA, Bluder also stepped down from her role as head coach. However, she later didn’t hold back in highlighting Clark’s exceptional talents, offering insights into the rookie’s character and what makes her such a standout player.

“She was a great teammate. She included everybody… It was the way that she led, the way that she really incorporated her teammates,” Bluder shared during an interview with Washington Post Live. The former HC also pointed out a touching moment from the WNBA draft when Clark celebrated not only her own success but also included three of her teammates. She made sure they shared in the experience and expressed her appreciation by gifting them Nike shoes and Bose headphones.

It’s clear that Caitlin Clark is the kind of teammate everyone would want to have around. “She loves to stir up some trouble, that’s for sure. If you need a laugh, she’ll get it done for you,” Hull told USA Today Sports. Clark’s remarkable ability to uplift her teammates and foster connections exemplifies why she’s a standout athlete.