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Caitlin Clark gets compared to Peyton Manning and seems to agree
Indiana Fever player Caitlin Clark, former Iowa Hawkeye standout and the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, speaks during an introductory press conference inside the entry pavilion at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Indianapolis Star-USA TODAY NETW

Caitlin Clark gets compared to Peyton Manning and seems to agree

Caitlin Clark has what it takes to be an all-time great at the professional level. She'll now get the chance to prove that, as the Indiana Fever took her No. 1 overall in Monday night's WNBA Draft.

Expectations will be high for Clark in Indianapolis, but she certainly has the skillset and attitude to compete at the highest levels.

That's something the city knows a bit about. Specifically on the gridiron, Indianapolis watched Peyton Manning for 13 seasons as he put together a Hall of Fame career and brought the NFL's Colts a championship.

Clark was recently speaking to another Indianapolis icon (sort of), Pat McAfee, and the former punter relayed that a true Indianapolis icon, Dallas Clark, compared the now former Iowa Hawkeye superstar to Manning.

“People talk about like Dallas Clark, obviously another Iowan, friend of mine, teammate of mine whenever we were with Peyton (Manning). He went to a lot of your games and watched you. He said, ‘She has like all of the traits that Peyton had.’ The accountability, the wanting of excellence all the time," McAfee explained (h/t On3).

"There’s people that start judging you for that, though. Do you think about any of that? You’re super competitive, I assume. That’s why Peyton was the way he was. That’s what it is for you?”

Clark answered in a way only she can — with both humility and immense confidence.

“Yeah, I don’t really care about what other people say. I feel like I’m just so fiery and so passionate, and I feel like that’s why I’m so good, too,” Clark said. “If I didn’t have that I don’t think I would have the success that I’ve had. But yeah, that’s how I’ve always been. I think I’ve been able to channel it a lot more throughout my career and use it more positive rather than negatively.”

Clark averaged 28.4 points, 7.1 assists and 8.2 rebounds per game in four seasons with Iowa. Her senior season saw her averaged 31.6 points, 7.4 boards and 8.9 assists per game.

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