WNBA Star Caitlin Clark Admits She's Been Struggling Mentally

Life in the spotlight isn't always easy - even for Caitlin Clark.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft has been super famous for several years now. Clark, a third-year guard for the Indiana Fever, has faced outsized expectations and more since arriving in the league. Clark is arguably the face of women's basketball and the player tasked with helping grow the sport - both in popularity and revenue.

It's a lot to take on, especially when Clark's main goal remains winning games on the floor. Understandably, Clark has admitted that she has been struggling lately.

Clark, who's had a solid start to the 2026 season, has been dealing with some back pain, as well, forcing her to miss a regular season game this week.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft admitted that she has been struggling mentally at times, too.

Clark opens up about her mental status

It's been a mental challenge.

"I think, at the end of the day, it's me and my confidence," she told reporters Friday. "Coming back from injury and having however many soft tissue injuries [in 2025] is a real mental challenge."

Clark ended up playing 32 minutes on Friday.

"Yes, I played USA Basketball [this offseason], but I didn't play 32 minutes, super physical," Clark said postgame. "That's the difference for me right now, but I feel great. I think a lot of the times, it's for me the next day, understanding how my body feels and understanding that a little bit better. Obviously, your adrenaline is pumping, you don't always understand right after the game. ... Overall, I feel good. It's just continuing to take care of my body."

Clark has been getting in her own head.

"I think there's moments where maybe I get in my head a little bit, and that's understandable," she said. "I need to have a little grace with myself. I need people to give me a little bit of grace too. When you go through so many things, it becomes a little bit traumatizing too."

It's a tough process, but it's something that Clark is forced to go through right now.

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This story was originally published May 24, 2026 at 8:27 AM.