Jake Thompson stood at the edge of the aircraft carrier’s deck, hands shoved deep into his pockets, eyes fixed on the horizon. The ocean stretched endlessly before him, dark and restless under the evening sky. The wind howled, thick with salt and iron, carrying the distant thrum of jet engines somewhere below deck. Metal clanked, voices barked orders—routine, efficient, alive. But up here, above it all, it was just him and the void.
Behind him, laughter erupted. A makeshift basketball court had drawn a crowd of soldiers eager for a break from drills and duty. The court itself was nothing special—a single hoop bolted to a steel frame, the deck marked with scuffed tape. It wasn’t perfect, but it was enough. Jake hadn’t meant to stay; he told himself he was just passing through, just killing time. But when he turned, his eyes locked onto the one person who didn’t belong: Caitlin Clark.
The name alone carried weight, even out here. The college phenom, the sharpshooter, the one everyone said could change the game. She stood near the court, spinning a ball in her hands, relaxed but focused. Soldiers jostled, daring each other to step up. No one did. She smiled, and the silence was palpable. Someone muttered, “Not against you.”
Jake exhaled slowly, fingers twitching at his side. The old instincts buried deep within him stirred, memories of hardwood under his feet, a crowd holding its breath, a shot leaving his hand—perfect and sure. That was before. Before the mission, before the explosion, before he woke up in a hospital bed with a leg that would never move the same way again.
He should have walked away. Should have let someone else take the challenge. But the words left his mouth before he could stop them. “I’ll play.”
A ripple of surprise passed through the crowd. Heads turned, soldiers exchanged glances—some amused, some skeptical. Caitlin’s gaze settled on him, studying, measuring. Jake stepped forward, the deck vibrating slightly beneath his boots. The wind had picked up, sharp and cutting, but the court was steady. He shrugged off his jacket, rolling his shoulders as if loosening something tight—though he wasn’t sure if it was his muscles or the weight of the past.
A younger soldier whispered just loud enough for him to hear, “Man, does he even play?” Jake ignored it. He didn’t owe them an answer. He just reached for the ball Caitlin held, fingers brushing against the textured surface. The grip was familiar, sending a jolt through him like muscle memory waking up. He bounced it once, testing, listening to the echo against steel.
Caitlin tilted her head slightly. “You sure?”
Jake met her eyes—sharp but not unkind. She wasn’t underestimating him; she just wanted to know. He spun the ball in his hands, feeling its weight. “Yeah,” he said. “I’m sure.”
The crowd shifted, forming a loose circle around the court. Caitlin tossed her jacket aside and stretched her arms. The way she moved—fluid, effortless—told Jake everything he needed to know. She wasn’t just good; she was built for this. He had seen players like her before, back when basketball was his world—people who played as naturally as they breathed, who made the game look easy.
The game began, first to eleven. Caitlin checked the ball to him, and he caught it smoothly, eyes locked on hers. She moved fast, driving left with an explosive first step. Jake slid to cut her off, but she spun cleanly to her right. He caught the move late, barely adjusting before she pulled up for a jumper. The shot arced high, spinning perfectly, and dropped through the net without touching the rim.
“1-0,” Caitlin grinned, catching the ball as it bounced back. Jake exhaled through his nose. She was quick, but he had played against quick before. He just needed to settle in.
The game settled into a rhythm. Caitlin was faster, sharper, relentless in her attacks. He was patient, methodical, using his strength where he could, forcing her into tougher shots. The points climbed, neither pulling ahead by more than one. Sweat formed despite the cool ocean air, and the crowd had grown, word spreading through the ship.
Jake wiped his forehead with his sleeve. His legs were heavier now, slower to react. He could feel it in the way his movements lagged just a fraction behind his thoughts, but he didn’t want to stop—not yet. Caitlin had the ball again, studying him, chest rising and falling with steady breaths. Then she moved, low and fast, a blur cutting toward the basket.
Jake followed, but his knee screamed in protest. She reached the paint and lifted off for a layup. He pushed off his good leg, extending an arm. His fingers grazed the ball just enough to alter its path. The ball hit the rim, bounced, and dropped out. Jake landed hard, his knee nearly buckling, but he stayed up. The ball rolled toward the sideline. Caitlin lunged, but Jake got there first, scooping it up and turning to see nothing but open court between him and the basket.
He dribbled once, twice, then rose. The shot left his hands—a clean release, spinning perfectly. It swished through the net. “1-1,” the crowd cheered.
Caitlin picked up the ball, her smile gone, replaced by sharp focus. The game continued, each point hard-fought. They were breathing hard now, sweat dripping, the crowd roaring with every basket.
Finally, it came down to the last point. Jake felt the weight of the game in every bounce. Caitlin dribbled, her eyes locked on his. He stood his ground, but as she moved, he felt it—the hesitation in his leg. She crossed over smoothly, and he lunged, but his knee hesitated for just a fraction of a second.
The ball left her hands, spinning high, perfect, effortless. The crowd inhaled. Jake didn’t watch; he already knew. The ball dropped through the net, and the ship erupted.
“Game,” someone shouted.
Jake exhaled, wiping a hand over his face. His knee throbbed, his hands ached, but the weight on his shoulders felt just a little lighter. Caitlin stepped forward, holding out her hand.
“You still got it,” she said, her voice just loud enough for him to hear.
Jake felt the words settle in his chest—heavy but warm. He nodded, a smile breaking through.
“Yeah,” he said quietly. “Maybe.”
As Caitlin turned to the crowd, Jake stood at the edge of the deck, watching the waves shift under the darkening sky. For the first time in years, it didn’t feel like something pulling him under. It felt open—like possibility.
Caitlin Clark handed shock Olympics lifeline with key Team USA star facing race against time to be fit
Caitlin Clark may be in with a chance of going to the Olympic Games after all as one of Team USA’s key players continues to struggle with an injury problem.
Clark, the No 1 pick in this year’s WNBA Draft, was controversially left out of Cheryl Reeve’s primary roster for this summer’s Games in Paris despite her record-breaking college success with Iowa and her strong start to life in the big leagues with Indiana.
The 22-year-old was instead named as an alternate, meaning she is one of the first in line should a Team USA player have to withdraw from the roster.
And with Diana Taurasi currently battling a leg injury, the door could yet be open for Clark to receive a shock late call-up to the Olympic squad.
Six-time Olympian and Phoenix Mercury guard Taurasi, one of Reeve’s most important players heading into the Games this summer, has missed her team’s last four WNBA games with the issue.
Caitlin Clark may be in with a chance of going to the Olympic Games this summer after all
Diana Taurasi is facing a race against time to be fit as she continues to battle a leg injury
She is also unavailable for the Mercury’s game against Clark and the Fever on Friday, meaning her chances of making it to Paris are in doubt.
Given she operates in the same position, Clark would be the most obvious replacement for Taurasi should she lose her race against time to be fit.
Reeve sparked outrage by leaving the Fever sensation out of her Olympic roster this summer, with Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy branding the USA officials behind the decision ‘dumb women’.
‘Hey dummies,’ Portnoy raged in a video on social media. ‘For the first time in the history of basketball, you have arguably the player who is the most popular player in the world.
‘You can argue that Caitlin Clark is the most popular, most puts-a**es-in-the-seats, single basketball player in the world. You can argue that. And you leave her off the Olympics team?’
Clark brought unprecedented attention to women’s basketball in her college days with Iowa and is already bringing new eyeballs to the sport in the WNBA, with a number of rival teams moving their games against Indiana to bigger stadiums to accommodate the increased demand.
After previously drawing criticism for suggesting she is not ready for the big leagues, Taurasi was full of praise for Clark after Phoenix’s loss to Indiana last month.
Taurasi recently praised Clark for bringing unprecedented attention to women’s basketball
‘It’s amazing what Caitlin’s been able to do in her short career so far,’ the 42-year-old said. ‘It’s been nothing short of remarkable.
‘What she’s done for the game has been pretty incredible and [having] that momentum coming out of college, eyes on you for four years straight.’
When fit, Taurasi has continued to show why she is one of the most talented players in the WNBA this season, averaging 16.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game.
Clark, meanwhile, is averaging 16.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 7.6 assists per game, with her superb start rewarded by inclusion in the WNBA All-Star Game.
Clark brought unprecedented attention to women’s basketball in her college days with Iowa and is already bringing new eyeballs to the sport in the WNBA, with a number of rival teams moving their games against Indiana to bigger stadiums to accommodate the increased demand.
After previously drawing criticism for suggesting she is not ready for the big leagues, Taurasi was full of praise for Clark after Phoenix’s loss to Indiana last month.
Taurasi recently praised Clark for bringing unprecedented attention to women’s basketball
‘It’s amazing what Caitlin’s been able to do in her short career so far,’ the 42-year-old said. ‘It’s been nothing short of remarkable.
‘What she’s done for the game has been pretty incredible and [having] that momentum coming out of college, eyes on you for four years straight.’
When fit, Taurasi has continued to show why she is one of the most talented players in the WNBA this season, averaging 16.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game.
Clark, meanwhile, is averaging 16.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 7.6 assists per game, with her superb start rewarded by inclusion in the WNBA All-Star Game.
