“It’s a lot different than college” - Sabrina Ionescu sends message to No. 1 pick Caitlin Clark amid poor WNBA start

Sabrina Ionescu shared advice for rookie Caitlin Clark after the No. 1 overall pick struggled through her first three games for the Indiana Fever. The NCAA’s all-time leading scorer broke several records during her college career. Her arrival and star power this season have generated a buzz that the WNBA has never witnessed.

Despite the hype around Caitlin Clark and the record-breaking crowds she attracts, the Indiana Fever's three consecutive losses serve as a stark reminder that the team has a long road ahead before becoming a WNBA elite. While some have placed blame on the 22-year-old rookie, 2x All-Star Ionescu offered a message of encouragement for Clark.

“Every rookie is gonna come in and kind of just have adversity from the beginning. It's a lot different than college," Ionescu said following 91-80 win against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever at Barclays Center.

"My advice to any rookies is to continue to grind and stay with it. Figuring out ways that you continue to get better is big part of elevating the game and understanding that what you did in college was enough, you deserve to still have that confidence when you join the league knowing still there’s still room for improvement," she added.

Once a Sabrina Ionescu fangirl, Caitlin Clark now ignites Indiana Fever ticket sales

A young Caitlin Clark, idolizing Oregon's Sabrina Ionescu, convinced her family to subscribe to the Pac-12 Network. On Saturday, Clark faced off against her idol for the second time.

Though the Fever fell to the Liberty, 91-80, Clark’s 22 points, six rebounds, and eight assists flashed the bursts of potential that the 18,000 fans in attendance came to see. The star-studded audience included icons like Billie Jean King, Megan Rapinoe and Jason Sudeikis.

Caitlin Clark wasn't just a fan of Sabrina Ionescu; she admired the relentless dedication that made Ionescu a star at Oregon. Inspired by Ionescu's journey, Clark set her own goal of achieving similar success in Iowa.

Now, arriving on the WNBA scene, Clark aspires to push the entire league to even greater heights. Her impact is already evident, as Indiana is experiencing historic ticket sales.

WNBA sales on StubHub have surged 93% over the previous season, with the Indiana Fever leading the push. After Clark was drafted, their sales jumped by 1300%, and searches for the Indiana Fever increased 15 times.

This unprecedented interest has even prompted four other teams—the Los Angeles Sparks, Las Vegas Aces, Atlanta Dream and Washington Mystics—to schedule their matchups against the Fever in larger venues to accommodate the anticipated crowds.

While Clark may need time to adapt to the tougher WNBA competition, her star power is already shining. With the full support of her coaches and teammates, there's no doubt she'll carve out her place as a WNBA superstar.