Caitlin Clark’s whirlwind All-Star weekend: Meeting Obama, then lighting up the game - AP News

What the report says

The Associated Press reported that Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark’s WNBA All-Star weekend in Chicago combined high-profile off-court appearances with a strong performance in her first traditional All-Star Game. Clark met former President Barack Obama during practice at the Obama Presidential Center on Friday, July 24, 2026, before playing Saturday at the United Center for Team Spoon against Team Coop.

According to AP, Clark’s schedule also included sponsor appearances for Nike, State Farm and Wilson, drawing long lines of fans, many in her No. 22 jersey. At a Wilson event, she helped introduce a new basketball line, while also taking part in fan activities at WNBA Live and visiting a Nike girls basketball tournament connected to her former AAU program, the Iowa Attack.

On the court, Clark made an immediate impact in front of what AP described as a record All-Star crowd of 19,783. She scored Team Spoon’s first eight points, including a steal and layup and a deep 3-pointer, and later connected from even farther out. Team Spoon defeated Team Coop 129-122. AP noted that the league did not use the 4-point shot featured in the previous year’s All-Star format, something Clark would have liked to see return.

The weekend carried added significance because Clark missed the 2025 All-Star Game in Indianapolis due to injury, while her 2024 rookie-season appearance came in the special WNBA All-Stars vs. U.S. Olympic team format. AP framed the Chicago weekend as a brief chance for Clark to enjoy the game amid the intense attention that has followed her since entering the league. The Fever were scheduled to resume play Tuesday in Seattle.