Iowa legend Caitlin Clark's first Fever shot back at her college home is perfect

Billy Heyen

Iowa legend Caitlin Clark's first Fever shot back at her college home is perfect image

Caitlin Clark has a tendency to rise to the occasion.

The Iowa legend and Indiana Fever star was back at Carver-Hawkeye Arena for a basketball game on Sunday. The WNBA's Fever took on the Brazilian National Team in a contest geared toward Clark getting back to her college gym.

Clark wasn't even a sure thing to play. She missed Indiana's Saturday exhibition with tightness in her left knee.

But on Sunday, Clark was deemed officially good to go shortly before tip-off.

And she didn't waste any time.

Just 30 seconds into the game, Clark crossed over at the top of the key, dribbled a bit to her left and launched a deep 3-pointer.

We don't even have to tell you what happened when that ball reached the basket.

But you can watch it if you'd like:

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Clark, the all-time leading scorer in NCAA history, had made so many shots in this building already.

But this one was different, a bit more special.

It was the Iowa crowd's native daughter returned home. She had left and already proven herself to be a conquering hero out in the professional world, and now she and they had the chance to pay homage to one another.

There was no other way for the scoring to start in this game than a Clark 3.

Sure, it's just an exhibition game, but whenever Clark plays basketball, it's an elevated art form. Her deep shots, her passing, her leadership and swagger and brashness, they all make her games worth more than whatever stage they happen to be on.

And on Sunday, the stage was a great one, and there was Clark, shining in the bright lights as she always does.

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Billy Heyen

Billy Heyen is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is a 2019 graduate of Syracuse University who has written about many sports and fantasy sports for The Sporting News. Sports reporting work has also appeared in a number of newspapers, including the Sandusky Register and Rochester Democrat & Chronicle