Updated

Updated · Chicago Tribune · Jul 24

Obama Surprises 22 WNBA All-Stars at First Full-Scale Practice on Obama Center Court

Updated

Updated · Chicago Tribune · Jul 24

Obama Surprises 22 WNBA All-Stars at First Full-Scale Practice on Obama Center Court

Q: What did Barack Obama tell Caitlin Clark in Chicago that turned a brief meeting into a bigger statement about fame and pressure?

Barack Obama told Caitlin Clark not to let “all this nonsense” wear her down, and he framed it with a personal reminder about fame arriving later in life. Clark said Obama praised how she has handled the intense attention around her rookie season and told her, “I got famous in my 40s, I didn’t have to do it in my 20s.” That short exchange resonated because it spoke directly to the pressure Clark has been under as one of the WNBA’s most scrutinized young stars. In video from Chicago, Obama also noted that Clark was about his daughter’s age and encouraged her to keep enjoying the game, turning a routine greeting into a broader message about perspective, resilience and dealing with public attention at a young age. Clark said she took it as reassurance from someone experienced with constant media scrutiny. She added that it reminded her to keep treating people with respect and grace while navigating the spotlight. In that sense, Obama’s message was bigger than a compliment: it was advice to keep her balance, not let controversy define her, and remember that fame and pressure can be managed without losing composure.

3 articles · Updated · Chicago Tribune · Jul 24

Barack Obama dropped into Friday’s WNBA All-Star practice in Chicago, greeting players and coaches before Saturday’s game and congratulating the league on its growth.
At the Obama Presidential Center’s Home Court — hosting its first full-scale basketball event — Obama called himself a big fan, then posed for photos and spoke individually with players.
Nneka Ogwumike said the visit felt fitting as the WNBA celebrates 30 years, while Angel Reese and A’ja Wilson noted ties between their work and the Obama family or foundation.
Obama also appeared at other All-Star events on campus, underscoring the center’s role in this year’s festivities even though a prior commitment will keep him from the game itself.