Caitlin Clark’s High School Coach Reflects on Her Success

Caitlin Clark’s high school coach is pleasantly surprised by her former student’s recent success.

Kristin Meyer coached the newly drafted WNBA player, 22, for four years at Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines, Iowa. However, even she’s been blown away at what the young athlete accomplished in her collegiate career with the Iowa Hawkeyes.

“It was a pretty special moment,” Meyer told TMZ in an interview published on Wednesday, April 17, referring to Clark being announced as the No.1 draft pick for the Indiana Fever earlier this week.

“Obviously, I think we all assumed she would go No. 1, but to actually hear her name called and see her come up on stage was really neat and just made me think of all the years of work she’s put in to put herself in the position to earn this opportunity,” Meyer added.

Clark made history as the highest all-time basketball scorer in NCAA Division I basketball, with more points than any other man or woman.

At the time, the then-college student had been playing in the final regular-season game against the Ohio State Buckeyes last month.

“I can’t say that I honestly predicted this!” Meyer told TMZ of Clark’s impressive feat.

The coach continued, “I always assumed she’d be successful knowing her work ethic, her passion for the sport, but this level of success, and especially the level of fame she’s achieved, it’s just something that I don’t think anyone could have predicted.”

The 2024 WNBA draft on April 15 garnered a total of 2.45 million viewers — making it the most viewed draft in the history of the women’s league — ESPN said in a press release.

The numbers were partially attributed to Clark declaring for the draft in February. 

“While this season is far from over and we have a lot more goals to achieve, it will be my last one at Iowa. I am excited to be entering the 2024 WNBA Draft,” Clark began in a statement, shared on X, formerly known as Twitter.

On April 13, the baller made a cameo on Saturday Night Live, stopping by the “Weekend Update” desk alongside Michael Che and Colin Jost. 

After the visit to Studio 8H in Rockefeller Plaza, cast member Bowen Yang exclusively told PEOPLE that Clark was “so charming and witty.”

Speaking to TMZ, Meyer added that after her years spent with the rising talent, she’s happy that others will get to see what she’s previously witnessed, amplified. 

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She also sees it as an opportunity to “bring more eyes” to women’s sports. 

In the six-minute interview, Meyer added, “I’m excited to see her grow as she’s being challenged — obviously she’ll be going against the best players in the world and I think she realizes that will be a challenge.”

However, Meyer said she has faith that her former student will have no issue adapting.