It was a rare day off for Caitlin Clark in her hometown of West Des Moines, Iowa. After weeks of intense training, media obligations, and traveling for games, Caitlin was thrilled to have a few quiet hours to herself. She decided to take a stroll through her old neighborhood, enjoying the familiar sights and sounds of her childhood. The sun was high, casting a golden glow over the streets, and the world seemed a little slower on that warm afternoon.
As Caitlin walked down the street, something caught her eye—a small lemonade stand set up on the sidewalk. It wasn’t the first stand she’d seen in the neighborhood, but there was something about this one that made her pause. A young girl was standing behind the table, a nervous smile on her face as she sold cups of lemonade to passing pedestrians. Caitlin felt a pull in her chest, and without a second thought, she walked over.
“Hi there,” Caitlin greeted the girl with a friendly smile, feeling the excitement of a moment that felt simple yet special. “How much for a lemonade?”
The girl, who looked to be about 10 or 11 years old, blinked at Caitlin for a moment, clearly startled by the woman’s sudden appearance. Her eyes widened as she took in Caitlin’s basketball jersey, her athletic build, and the unmistakable aura of someone familiar, yet impossible to believe standing in front of her.
“That’ll be $1,” the girl stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. She seemed more nervous than she should be, given that it was just a transaction at a lemonade stand, but Caitlin didn’t mind—she could sense that the girl was likely more excited than she was letting on.
Caitlin smiled kindly and handed her a bill. “Here you go. Keep the change.” She took a sip of the lemonade and gave a thumbs up. “This is really good!”
The girl’s face lit up, but there was still some hesitation in her eyes. It wasn’t until Caitlin spoke again that the realization hit.
“I’m Caitlin Clark, by the way,” Caitlin said casually, watching as the young girl’s eyes grew wider. The girl’s hand went to her mouth in disbelief.
“Wait,” she gasped. “You’re Caitlin Clark?”
Caitlin chuckled at the excitement in the girl’s voice. “Yep, that’s me,” she said. “And I just wanted to tell you that your lemonade is fantastic.”
The girl’s face turned bright red as she tried to compose herself. “Oh my gosh, I can’t believe you’re here!” she exclaimed. “I love watching you play. I want to be just like you one day.”
Caitlin’s heart warmed as she listened to the girl. “I’m sure you can be. You just have to keep working at it,” Caitlin encouraged, offering a genuine smile. “But remember, it’s not just about the talent; it’s about determination. I didn’t get here just because I could shoot a ball. It’s because I worked every single day to improve.”
The girl looked at Caitlin, wide-eyed, as if she had never heard advice that resonated so deeply. She bit her lip, hesitating for a moment before speaking. “I want to play basketball. But… I don’t really have the right equipment, and we can’t afford a lot of training. My parents try their best, but sometimes it feels like I’ll never be good enough.”
Caitlin’s heart sank. She had heard these kinds of stories before, and she knew all too well how limiting resources could be for aspiring athletes, especially for young girls from underprivileged backgrounds. But she refused to let this opportunity pass without doing something about it.
“You know,” Caitlin said, leaning forward slightly, “every great player starts with a great ball. You just need to keep that fire alive. And I promise you, there’s nothing more powerful than a girl who is determined.” She paused, then added, “I’m going to come back tomorrow. And I’m going to bring you some things that will help you get started.”
The girl blinked, her excitement tempered with a tinge of skepticism. “Really?”
Caitlin nodded firmly. “Really. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She waved as she walked away, leaving the girl standing there, her heart racing with a mix of hope and disbelief.
The next morning, Bella—Caitlin’s new friend—set up her lemonade stand again, a little nervous but eager to see if Caitlin would truly return. She had half-expected it to be a joke, a kind gesture from someone busy with their own life. As the minutes passed, her doubts began to creep in, but just as she was about to give up, Caitlin appeared.
But this time, Caitlin wasn’t alone. She had brought two large duffel bags with her, and Bella’s heart nearly stopped when Caitlin pulled out a brand-new basketball, a pair of basketball shoes in her size, a set of training cones, and a jersey with Caitlin’s number on it.
“This is for you,” Caitlin said, her smile wide. “You’re going to need a great ball to get started. And I figured you could use these.” She handed over the items, her voice warm with encouragement.
Bella stood frozen, her mouth hanging open. “I—I don’t even know what to say,” she stammered, tears welling in her eyes. “This is… this is amazing!”
“But I’m not done yet,” Caitlin said with a grin. “You’ve got to have the best lemonade stand, right?”
Bella’s confusion quickly turned to awe as Caitlin revealed a crew that had been waiting nearby, ready to give her lemonade stand a makeover. They worked swiftly, repainting the stand with fresh colors, putting up a new sign, and adding a shady umbrella for the hot summer sun. The neighborhood was buzzing with excitement, as word spread that Caitlin Clark was on the scene.
Caitlin didn’t stop there. She worked alongside Bella, pouring lemonade for customers and signing autographs for fans. The entire neighborhood seemed to be drawn to the new stand, with people eager to meet Caitlin and show their support for Bella.
But the surprises didn’t stop at the stand. Caitlin didn’t just change Bella’s lemonade operation—she changed her future.
When the day began to wind down, Caitlin turned to Bella’s parents, who were still in shock at the events unfolding before them. “I want to make sure Bella’s dreams don’t stop here,” Caitlin said. “I’ve arranged for a check to go toward her future education, so she can stretch her dreams beyond basketball.”
Bella’s parents were overwhelmed with gratitude. “We don’t know how to thank you,” her father said, his voice thick with emotion. “This is more than we could have ever imagined.”
As Caitlin left the stand, the sense of accomplishment in the air was palpable. Bella had not only received encouragement, equipment, and support, but her world had opened up in a way she had never thought possible.
A month later, Caitlin returned to West Des Moines, this time with coaches from a local basketball academy. She had arranged for Bella to receive a full scholarship to their training program, ensuring that Bella would have every opportunity to hone her skills.
Overcome with emotion, Bella promised to work hard and make the most of the incredible opportunity Caitlin had given her. As the coaches handed over the scholarship papers, Bella felt her heart swell with hope for the first time in years.
“This is just the beginning,” Caitlin told her, a smile on her face. “I believe in you.”
In the months that followed, Bella’s confidence soared as she trained, determined to make the most of her scholarship. What started as a simple lemonade stand had turned into the launch of a young girl’s basketball dreams, thanks to Caitlin’s kindness and unwavering belief in her potential.
Bella’s story was just beginning, and now she knew, more than ever, that dreams were not only possible—they were within reach.
How to get tickets to see Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever play in Iowa City in May
Tickets to see Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever play in an exhibition game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in May go on sale this week.
May’s exhibition game will be Clark’s first return to the place where she became a household name since her No. 22 jersey was retired at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Feb. 2 when Iowa upset No. 4 USC 76-69.
When is the pre-sale for Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever at Carver-Hawkeye Arena?
Presale for the Fever’s game against the Brazilian National Team on May 4 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City starts Thursday, Feb. 27 at 9 a.m. CT for Iowa athletics donors and Iowa women’s basketball season ticket holders, according to the Iowa Athletics website. Presale ticket prices range from $60 to $200.
When do Indiana Fever tickets go on sale for Carver-Hawkeye Arena exhibition game?
General public sales begin Friday, Feb. 28, at 9 a.m. CT, with tickets from $70 to $250. A $6 fee applies to all purchases.
Tickets are limited to four per customer.
Clark led Iowa to a 109-30 over four seasons, earning three Big Ten Conference titles and two National Championship appearances. She also became the NCAA Division I all-time scoring leader and won both the Naismith and AP Player of the Year awards twice during her time in Iowa City.
