“Can she still change her mind?” Lisa Bluder said this after Caitlin Clark had announced her move from the NCAA to WNBA. Of course, anything to cherish moments with the best player out of Iowa was what drove the head coach. The connection between a coach and a player is quite special, and this duo became the hottest topic in the nation as they broke records left and right. Still, that was not all that the generational talent’s time as a Hawkeye brought to her. A key tactic she learned as a 20-year-old was dealing with the media. Something she has brought to the Indiana Fever and their GM, Lin Dunn, cannot help but take interest.

Through her junior and senior years in Iowa, Caitlin Clark indeed received the world’s attention. The Fever rookie not only coped with it all most maturely but has always been respectful towards the media. Talking about this ability with Dave Calabro of the 13News, Dunn said, “Away from the game, what has intrigued me and impressed me so much is her ability to deal with the media. A maturity far beyond, what, a 21-22-year-old and I think that goes back to the experiences she’s had in Iowa.”

“What she had to deal with in those four years in Iowa. The family she comes from, the two coaches that coached her, (Jan) Jensen and (Lisa) Bluder.” Lin Dunn then ended her statement with five heartwarming words that would’ve surely brought a smile to Caitlin’s face. “She’s gifted on and off.”

Certainly, if there is one off-court ability of the Iowa sensation that has always turned heads is how she has accepted her position in the media’s and the fans’ eyes. Whether she won, lost, or any other case, the rookie has been a tremendous force in the pressers. Remember how Indiana’s seasoned reporter made a heart to her in her introductory presser for the Fever and asked her to do the same to him after the wins and “they” will be fine? And how did the No. 22 respond? Just a smile (even if uncomfortable) and a “that’s cool” response.

But of course, her game is her forte. And she has impressed Dunn with that too.

Indiana Fever GM Lin Dunn gives 1-word praise to Caitlin Clark

As unarguably one of the best players in the NCAA’s history, Caitlin Clark has heard compliments from everyone. But imagine the praise coming from the architect of the very franchise that you have connected yourself with. While Dunn already had her heart set on the guard since she was still in the NCAA, Clark continues to thrill her with her performance. Praising the on-court expertise of the lottery pick, Dunn defined Clark to Calabro as “gifted.” For her, it is the scoring and passing ability of Caitlin Clark. But she has more.

She added, “I’m also impressed with her speed and quickness. I don’t think people realize how fast she is with and without the ball.” Previously, Caitlin Clark has confessed how she wants to sprint everywhere. In a recent presser, she also mentioned she does not want to lose her quickness even if she adds muscles. Indeed, it is her pace along with Kelsey Mitchell’s that is bringing wins to Indiana. The rookie is currently leading the league with 8.1 assists and all the rookies with 18 points.

Next, they will be traveling to the Windy City to take over her NCAA rival Angel Reese and the Sky in their final clash.