Caitlin Clark spent some time during her Olympic break in the gym bulking up to better prepare for the second half of the WNBA schedule.
With the second phase of the season underway, Clark and the Indiana Fever are in a playoff spot with thirteen games remaining.
Clark took care not only to rest, but also to gain muscle mass after some strength and conditioning sessions during the Olympics.
Speaking to reporters after a 98-89 win over the Phoenix Mercury, Clark talked about his process during the break and how he views his strength as part of his game.
“Yeah, I’m small, but I try to defend myself the best I can. It’s funny, actually. We were playing live the other day and I was backing up (guard Erica Wheeler) and (Wheeler) said, ‘Man, I thought I was going to push you out of the way, but you’re a little stronger than I thought. ‘”
Caitlin Clark has been packing on the muscle during the Olympic break in the WNBA season.
He came out firing on all cylinders against the Mercury in a 29-point performance to earn the win.
“I was like, ‘Yeah, don’t mess with me.’ I don’t know, I guess I’m just quietly strong. I’ll never be the strongest person. I know that.
“I’m trying to gain some weight and I’ve been working hard in the gym. Obviously, there are certain limits as to that and what I can do, obviously, being in season, but over the course of the last three weeks or so, we’ve all been working really hard in the gym.”
“I haven’t been very happy with our trainer,” she added sarcastically. “I’ve been in a lot of pain and it’s been difficult for me to shoot some days.”
“But I think it will definitely help me down the stretch to have that little extra muscle… we don’t know if I actually have it or not.
“But it’s definitely something I’ll continue to focus on, but more than anything, I never want to lose my speed. I like being fast and racing.”
In May, Clark spoke about how physical she was finding the game at the WNBA level, saying, “I think everyone is physical with me. They get away with things that probably other people don’t get away with. It’s tough.”
But on Friday night, Clark didn’t let the gritty nature of the WNBA slow her down, posting a double-double of 29 points and 10 assists on 8-of-16 shooting.