Caitlin Clark, the rising star of the WNBA, recently revealed her fiercely competitive nature during an appearance on “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman.” The episode, set to air on April 8th, features an exclusive clip in which Clark shares a humorous yet telling anecdote from her childhood that illustrates just how far her competitive spirit extends—even to Halloween candy.
Growing up in Des Moines, Iowa, Clark recalls how her eagerness to collect the most candy during trick-or-treating often led to chaos for her family. “I would be like so sweaty under my costume because I was in a dead sprint from house to house,” she said, highlighting her determination to outpace her peers. Her approach to Halloween was simple: accumulate as much candy as possible. The intensity of her quest sometimes left her father struggling to keep up, as she would abandon him in her relentless pursuit of sweets.
This competitive drive didn’t come without consequences. Clark noted that her mother would often express frustration towards her father, questioning why he couldn’t keep track of their daughter as she sped through the neighborhood. “My mom would get pissed at my dad because it’s like, why did you lose our daughter? Why is she running through the neighborhood by herself?” Clark recalled with a laugh, emphasizing that her sole focus was on winning the candy haul.
Her competitive nature has clearly served her well in sports. Clark, who plays for the Indiana Fever, recently made headlines for her remarkable performance in her rookie season, earning the title of Rookie of the Year. Moreover, during her senior year at the University of Iowa, she achieved a historic milestone by becoming the overall scoring leader across NCAA Division I men’s and women’s basketball.
In an engaging exchange, Letterman remarked on Clark’s competitive spirit, noting, “It’s the competitive drive that overrides every little daily occurrence.” The conversation also touched on other childhood memories, including the day Clark insisted on removing her training wheels to learn how to ride a bike alongside her older brother. This moment, she said, reflected her inherent need to outdo those around her, a trait that has clearly followed her into her professional career.
As Caitlin Clark continues to dominate on the court, her reflections on her childhood experiences offer a glimpse into the mindset that drives her success. Whether it’s racing for candy or outscoring opponents, her competitive nature remains a defining characteristic, one that promises to keep fans eagerly watching her journey in the WNBA.