Fueled by the hype around Caitlin Clark, Indianapolis has become the de facto epicenter of the WNBA this year. That will likely be the case next year as the city gets ready to host the 2025 All-Star Game, meaning the entire league will be in town for the game.

What did Clark have to say about that? It’s safe to say she’s excited – but the Indiana Fever star also joked about the buzz that’ll come along.

“I’ll be hiding,” Clark said with a smile. “I’m just happy I’ll be able to sleep in my own bed if I’m lucky enough to be an All-Star again. I would not have to sleep in a hotel room, not have to travel. I think that’s what I’m most excited about.”

Clark, Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell were the Fever’s three representatives in the All-Star Game this year. They helped lead the charge as Team WNBA defeated Team USA in Phoenix, and Clark made some history along the way. She and Angel Reese became the first rookie duo selected to the game since 2014.

Now, Indianapolis will get to experience the excitement of the All-Star festivities. Clark said it speaks to how the city embraced the WNBA as the league soars in popularity. That commitment, she added, will also help organizers put together a fun weekend.

“Honestly, I’m really happy for our organization and our franchise and the city of Indianapolis,” Clark said. “I think it’s a testament to how they supported us to begin the year. The first 26 games, we’ve had a ton of fans on the road, have a ton of fans at every single game at home. It’s been sold out. You can just feel the buzz and excitement. I don’t think there was a better place for the All-Star Game to go next year – I think everybody knew that.

“I know they’re gonna do everything they can to make this All-Star the best there has ever been in WNBA history, and I think that’s something that’s easily gonna be accomplished because they’re gonna spend a lot of time and resources into making it special not only for the athletes that are gonna be chosen to represent their franchises, but for the city that has given so much and our fans that have given a lot. I’m excited, even though it’s a year away.”

Of course, Caitlin Clark isn’t getting ahead of herself and planning to play in the game – although if she can keep her success going, there won’t be much doubt. That isn’t the case for her family, though.

No matter what, the Clark will be in attendance in some way, shape or form.

“I’m sure my family’s already planning. Who knows?” Clark said. “I’ll be there one way or another, whether I’m there or not, I guess. I live a minute away. I can walk here.”

INDIANAPOLIS — A woman has died, and another woman was critically injured as a result of a crash on the north side of Indianapolis on Friday afternoon.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department North District officers responded to the intersection of E. 62^nd Street and N. Meridian Street on reports of a crash just before 1:30 p.m.

Upon arrival, officers located two vehicles that had crashed, a sedan and a passenger van.

IMPD says the sedan was traveling southbound on N. Meridian Street when it struck the passenger van, which was believed to have been travelling eastbound on E. 62^nd Street attempting to cross the intersection.

The adult female driver of the sedan was transported to a local hospital in critical condition, where she later died, IMPD says.

The adult female driver of the passenger van was transported to a local hospital where she remains in critical condition.

The driver of the passenger van is cooperating with investigators. Intoxication is not a believed factor in this case.

WATCH | Indiana’s latest headlines

Latest Headlines | August 16, 12pm

The Indianapolis Indians didn’t need to use the long ball on Thursday night, instead producing 14 hits — 11 of them singles — in a 6-4 win over the St. Paul Saints at Victory Field.

Ten of the hits and eight of the singles came against Saints starting pitcher Aaron Rozek, who allowed five runs over 4 2/3 innings. Rozek, a Burnsville native, was making his fifth start of the season for the Saints after going 5-4 with a 2.19 earned-run average at Double-A Wichita. He struck out six and walked two.

Alika Williams led off the first against Rozek with a double and scored on a single by Nick Yorke that was deflected by third baseman Diego A. Castillo.

Castillo homered in the second inning and the Saints added a run on Wynton Bernard’s sacrifice fly.

It was more death by a thousand cuts in the third inning as the Indians began the inning with four straight singles to score two runs and added a two-out, run-scoring single by Billy McKinney to take a 4-2 lead.

DaShawn Keirsey Jr. led off the fifth with a double and came home on a one-out double by Yunior Severino to make it 4-3.

Originally Published: August 15, 2024 at 10:54 p.m.