Being the superstar she is, Caitlin Clark has become a role model for countless young basketball players. That’s why WNBA fans were puzzled when she pointed Iowa teammate Hannah Stuelke toward Draymond Green as her example to follow.
During Big Ten Media Days on Thursday, Mike Hall recalled Clark telling Stuelke to model her game after the Golden State Warriors forward — and Stuelke didn’t hesitate to agree.
“I think the aggression he plays with is really key for me,” said Stuelke. “She always wanted me to be really aggressive and play with a lot of passion, and I think that he does that.”
She knows the exact archetype of PF that the Fever need beside AB and if Hannah can accomplish that, she’s going #10 to Indiana.
This is a 6 person draft and picks 7-20 are just a case of drafting for fit https://t.co/lVEyqxIADU
— Mick (@DBGyt_) October 8, 2025
Fans were quick to chime in online, questioning Clark’s choice given Green’s reputation for being one of the league’s most polarizing players.
“Not exactly a role model baller but I get it.”
“Hopefully she will get Green’s passion, energy and aggressiveness but not all his crazy fouls, dirty plays and unsportsmanlike behavior.”
“Please no, Draymond is a dirty ass jerk.”
Entering her senior season with the Hawkeyes, Stuelke has already recorded 11 career double-doubles and earned All-Big Ten second-team honors last year.
WNBA Fans Debate “The Caitlin Clark Effect” on Young Players
While Caitlin Clark’s nod to Draymond Green stirred mixed reactions, her own influence on the next generation is undeniable. A video shared by Hoop Herald on X showed young girls pulling up for deep three-pointers — a trend many credited to the “Caitlin Clark effect.”
The Caitlin Clark effect on the next generation of female hooper is crazy
These girls are now out here draining 3’s from beyond the logo 😳
(Via @RyStar7_ 🎥)
— Hoop Herald (@TheHoopHerald) October 3, 2025
But not everyone agrees that she started it.
“Technically that’s the Steph Curry effect.”
“If you think this is new to the women’s game… you haven’t been watching… girls were hitting logo threes well before Caitlin Clark.”
“If only Caitlin Clark came before Steph… imagine that. The world already loved Clark but this is Curry over Caitlin.”
While fans debate who truly inspired the long-range trend, Clark has never hidden her admiration for Steph Curry, saying she grew up watching him — and modeled her own game after his.
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Dan has been active in sports since 2016 and has worked behind the scenes as a scriptwriter for basketball, volleyball, and other sports. At a time, Dan has also been working as a sports commentator for CBA Pilipinas. During the pandemic, he has also been actively writing betting articles for CashBet and BetNow.
