Caitlin Clark bonds with Barack Obama at WNBA All-Star weekend over media scrutiny

CHICAGO — Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark‘s All-Star experince is off to a presidential start.

Clark touched down in Chicago for the 2026 WNBA All-Star Weekend on Friday, July 24, just in time for practice with Team Teresa Weatherspoon at the recently opened Barack Obama Presidential Center, where former President Barack made a surprise appearance to visit the league’s biggest stars.

After giving a brief speech, Obama went and shook each players’ hand and posed for pictures. Obama and Clark chatted for several minutes before snapping a photo together. Then, Clark motioned for Fever teammates Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston to join for a joint photo.

Clark said she bonded with Obama over the heightened media exposure they’ve both navigated throughout their careers, a conversation that she called “super cool.”

“He just complimented me for the way that I handle everything, obviously with everything that’s been going on,” Clark told reporters on Friday morning. “He’s somebody that has been in front of the media quite a bit and he reminded me, ‘When I got famous in my 40s, I didn’t have to do it in my 20s.'”

Clark continued: “Sometimes, I think, people don’t always realize, like, I’m 24-years-old and I’m trying to navigate a lot of different things while trying to play basketball at the same time. So, it was cool to hear that from him and I think, honestly, it’s probably a good reminder for all of us to treat people with respect, treat people with grace.”

Clark told USA TODAY Sports the exchange is “definitely a moment I’ll probably remember for the rest of my life.” She added her palms were “pretty sweaty and clammy” while talking with him.

The WNBA All-Star Weekend brings together some of the league’s biggest personalities, with fashion becoming part of the spotlight before the games begin.

See the standout looks, designer outfits and style moments as players arrive for All-Star festivities.

Above, Multi-media journalist Arielle Chambers during the orange carpet arrivals for the 2026 WNBA All Star Game at United Center.

The WNBA All-Star Weekend brings together some of the league’s biggest personalities, with fashion becoming part of the spotlight before the games begin.

See the standout looks, designer outfits and style moments as players arrive for All-Star festivities.

Above, Multi-media journalist Arielle Chambers during the orange carpet arrivals for the 2026 WNBA All Star Game at United Center.

Olympic medalist Jordan Chiles and multi-media journalist Arielle Chambers during the orange carpet arrivals for the 2026 WNBA All Star Game at United Center.

Olympic medalist Jordan Chiles during the orange carpet arrivals for the 2026 WNBA All Star Game at United Center.

Ellie the Elephant, New York Liberty mascot during the orange carpet arrivals for the 2026 WNBA All Star Game at United Center.

• WNBA Live: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. ET at McCormick Place

• Skills Night: 8 p.m. ET at Wintrust Arena. Features the WNBA Shooting Stars and WNBA 3-Point Contest (ESPN)

WNBA Live: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. ET at McCormick Place

Skills Night: 8 p.m. ET at Wintrust Arena. Features the WNBA Shooting Stars and WNBA 3-Point Contest (ESPN)

• WNBA Live Presented by AWS: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. ET at McCormick Place

• WNBA All-Star Game: 8:30 p.m. ET at the United Center (ABC, Disney+)

WNBA Live Presented by AWS: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. ET at McCormick Place

WNBA All-Star Game: 8:30 p.m. ET at the United Center (ABC, Disney+)

Dominique Matlonga, C, Seattle Storm

• Caitlin Clark, G, Indiana Fever

• A’ja Wilson, C, Las Vegas Aces

• Olivia Miles, G, Minnesota Lynx

• Aliyah Boston, C, Indiana Fever

• Jessica Shepard, F, Dallas Wings

Courtney Williams, G, Minnesota Lynx

Kiki Iriafen, F, Washington Mystics

General Manager Teresa Weatherspoon