Caitlin Clark surprised her fans by hitting the gym for an intense workout on her birthday, as the Indiana Fever ace celebrated turning 23 on January 22 with the rest of her WNBA colleagues and staff.
Channelling the spirit of determined sports icons such as LeBron James, Tom Brady and Cristiano Ronaldo, the basketball sensation proved there are no days off when her team ambushed her as she headed out of the gym for a shower.
“Our coaches and front office sang happy birthday to @caitlinclark22 after her workout today,” the Fever said via X.com, formerly Twitter, posting the video in which the WNBA Rookie of the Year jokingly asked if they’d been waiting for her to finish her exercises.
Fans loved her approach ahead of the upcoming women’s basketball season, which officially tips-off for Clark on Saturday, May 17 when she welcomes Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky to the Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
One user commented, “No days off until the job is done.”
A second said, “Birthday workout? Classic CC!!”
And a third noted, “I know what was made on that video. On her birthday, she was still working on her game, that’s why we love her. Happy birthday, future GOAT…”
Fans also pointed to another ruthlessly competitive athlete in the form of the Los Angeles Lakers legend, Kobe Bryant by suggesting her gym day echoed the black mamba mentality the five-time NBA champion established.
Clark receives loving message
Clark’s talent is also transcending the barriers of sexism in sports as the 23-year-old even caught the eye of the Indiana Pacer’s Tyrese Haliburton as he and his girlfriend took time out of their day to wish her well.
But her favorite message from the day may well have come from her boyfriend, Connor McCaffrey, who posted a handful of photos of the pair to social media.
“Happy 23rd CC (finally we’re celebrating together this year),” McCaffrey said via Instagram. “You have an incredible ability to inspire and lift up those around you.
“And I am lucky to learn from you every day. Thank you for always being you. I love you.”