Caitlin Clark, on her 23rd birthday, took a unique approach to the celebration, turning the spotlight from herself to others in an incredible act of generosity. Instead of receiving presents, she gave back by partnering with Scholastic’s National Literacy Program to donate 22,000 new books to children in underprivileged schools across Iowa and Indiana.
This donation was far from a small gesture—it was an impactful move to promote literacy and education. For Clark, reading has always been a significant part of her life, shaping her into the powerhouse she is today.
She shared how reading empowered her when she was young, recalling moments of excitement flipping through Scholastic flyers and dreaming of reading more books. With this project, she aimed to offer that same empowerment to kids who may not have the same access to books.
The books will be distributed to elementary and middle schools, as well as hospitals and nonprofit organizations across the country, with a heavy focus on Iowa and Indiana, her home states.
This donation aims to combat a concerning trend in America: the decline in children’s reading habits. In 2007, 37% of children were regular readers, but by 2022, that number had dropped to only 28%. Clark is determined to help reverse this trend by giving kids the resources they need to become passionate about reading.
In addition to her charitable act, Caitlin Clark also surprised her fans with an exclusive workout video shared by the Indiana Fever. On her birthday, while most players would take the day off, Clark was in the gym, working hard.
The Fever captured every moment as she ran a shooting drill, making 50 out of 54 shots—a staggering 92% success rate. Even more impressive, she made 23 consecutive three-pointers, a display of skill that left fans and analysts in awe. Though there were no defenders in the drill, this level of accuracy is extraordinary and something even seasoned professionals would marvel at. Clark’s performance sent a strong message: she’s locked in, focused, and more determined than ever.
Meanwhile, tributes to Clark poured in from fans across the globe, including from places as far as Chile, the Philippines, and Australia. People from all walks of life, speaking different languages, shared their admiration for Clark, highlighting how she has inspired them, especially young girls in sports.
A particularly touching tribute came from a couple in the Philippines, who mentioned how they now plan to use Clark as a role model for their future daughter, showcasing the long-term impact Clark’s influence is having worldwide.
Clark also received messages from fellow athletes, including her close friends and family. Her best friend, Kate Martin, and her boyfriend, Connor McCaffrey, posted heartfelt messages on Instagram, expressing love and admiration for her. Even basketball rivals, like LSU’s FLJ Johnson, sent birthday wishes, acknowledging her greatness on and off the court.
But as the basketball world celebrated Caitlin Clark’s achievements, there was one notable absence: the WNBA. Despite the league’s usual tradition of celebrating players’ birthdays on their social media platforms, they failed to acknowledge Clark’s birthday in any form.
This silence sparked outrage among fans, who felt it was a glaring omission given Clark’s influence and success. The WNBA had previously posted birthday tributes for other players like A’ja Wilson and Angel Reese, so fans were quick to question why Clark, one of the most famous players in the league, was left out.
The controversy sparked a conversation about the representation of women’s sports and how players are recognized and celebrated by the league.
Despite this controversy, Caitlin Clark’s future in the WNBA looks incredibly bright. The Indiana Fever’s new Player Development coach, Keith Porter, has set high expectations for Clark, stating that he wants her to dominate every aspect of her game.
Analysts are predicting that Clark could average 22 points and 12 assists per game in the 2025 season, which would put her in MVP conversation.
She’s clearly just getting started, and as her influence continues to grow, so do the expectations surrounding her. Whether it’s through her inspiring actions off the court or her stunning performances on it, Caitlin Clark is changing the game in every sense.
