Ava’s small hands clutched Mr. Whiskers, her favorite stuffed animal, as she looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings. Her mother, Jessica, had left her alone on a bench outside a rundown diner on the outskirts of Oakdale City. The bright sunlight cast long shadows across the cracked sidewalk, making Ava feel small and vulnerable. As the minutes ticked by, her eyes welled up with tears. She called out for her mother, but only the wind replied. The diner’s neon sign creaked in the gentle breeze, casting a ghostly glow over the deserted street.
Just as Ava’s tears began to dry, a kind-faced woman with a warm smile approached her. “Hi there, little one,” she said, kneeling down beside Ava. “What’s your name?”
Ava sniffled, wiping her nose on her sleeve. “I’m Ava,” she said, her voice small.
The woman’s eyes filled with compassion. “Well, Ava, my name is Caitlin, and I think we’re going to be good friends.” Caitlin took Ava’s hand and led her inside the diner. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and cooking bacon enveloped Ava, making her stomach growl with hunger. Caitlin sat Ava down at a table and brought her a big glass of milk and a plate of cookies.
As Ava ate, Caitlin listened to her story. Ava told her about her mother’s addiction, the times she had left Ava alone for hours, and the pain of being abandoned. Caitlin’s expression was a mix of sadness and determination. “Ava, you are loved,” she said gently. “You are worthy of love and care, no matter what your mother has done.”
Ava’s eyes welled up with tears again, but this time they were tears of hope. She knew she had found a true friend in Caitlin, someone who would stand by her no matter what.
As the days turned into weeks, Ava grew to trust Caitlin. Caitlin became her guardian, confidant, and friend. Ava started attending school, making new friends, and exploring the city. But despite the progress she made, Ava couldn’t shake off the feeling of abandonment. She wondered if her mother was okay, if she was thinking of her, and if she would ever come back.
Years went by, and Ava grew into a beautiful, confident young woman. She never forgot about her mother, but she didn’t let the pain of abandonment define her. One day, when Ava was 16 years old, she received a surprise visit from a social worker.
“Ava, we found your mother,” the social worker said.
Ava’s heart skipped a beat as she looked at the social worker in shock. “What?” she asked. “Where is she?”
The social worker hesitated. “She’s been in rehab for several years,” she said. “She’s been trying to get her life back on track.”
Ava’s emotions were in turmoil—angry, sad, and scared all at once. But as she looked at Caitlin, who was standing beside her, she knew she had to face her mother.
The reunion was emotional, to say the least. Ava’s mother, Jessica, was frail and gaunt, but her eyes sparkled with love and regret. “Ava, I’m so sorry,” Jessica said, her voice trembling. “I was wrong to leave you. I was wrong to abandon you.”
Ava’s anger and sadness melted away as she looked at her mother. She saw the pain and regret in her eyes and knew that her mother was truly sorry. “It’s okay, Mom,” Ava said, her voice filled with compassion. “I forgive you.”
Jessica burst into tears, and Ava hugged her tightly. It was a moment of healing, a moment of forgiveness, and a moment of love. As they hugged, Caitlin stood beside them, a warm smile on her face. She knew that Ava had finally found closure, finally found the love and acceptance she deserved.
The three of them stood there for a long time, holding each other tightly. They knew they still had a long way to go, but they also knew they would face the journey together as a family.
In the weeks that followed, Caitlin became an integral part of their lives. She helped Ava navigate the complexities of rebuilding her relationship with her mother. They attended family therapy sessions together, where they learned to communicate openly and honestly. Caitlin’s unwavering support provided Ava with the strength she needed to confront her feelings of abandonment and hurt.
One afternoon, as they sat in a park, Ava turned to Caitlin. “I don’t know how to thank you for everything you’ve done for me,” she said, her voice filled with sincerity.
Caitlin smiled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “You don’t have to thank me, Ava. I’m just glad I could be there for you. You’re an incredible young woman, and you deserve all the love in the world.”
Ava felt a warmth spread through her chest. Caitlin had become more than just a friend; she was family. As they watched the sun set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Ava realized that she had found a new beginning.
One day, after a particularly challenging game, Ava found Caitlin waiting for her outside the gym. “You played amazing out there!” Caitlin exclaimed, pulling Ava into a hug.
“Thanks! I couldn’t have done it without you,” Ava replied, her eyes shining with gratitude.
As they walked home together, Ava felt a sense of peace wash over her. She had faced her past, embraced her present, and was excited for her future. With Caitlin by her side, she knew she could overcome any obstacle.
Years later, as Ava prepared to graduate high school, she reflected on her journey. She had transformed from a scared little girl into a confident young woman, ready to take on the world. And through it all, Caitlin had been there, guiding her, supporting her, and loving her unconditionally.
On graduation day, as Ava stood on the stage, she spotted Caitlin in the crowd, tears of pride glistening in her eyes. In that moment, Ava knew that she had not only found a mother figure in Caitlin but also a lifelong friend.
As she delivered her speech, Ava spoke about resilience, love, and the importance of community. “I want to thank the people who have stood by me through thick and thin,” she said, her voice steady. “Especially Caitlin, who showed me that family isn’t just about blood; it’s about the people who love you and support you no matter what.”
The audience erupted in applause, and Ava’s heart swelled with joy. She had come a long way, and she was ready for whatever came next, knowing that she would always have Caitlin by her side. Together, they had created a new beginning, one filled with hope, love, and endless possibilities.
Caitlin Clark has massive hands. The superstar sharpshooter has a major advantage over other players as a result.
As a woman, she plays with a women’s ball. However, unlike most other hoopers on the court, Clark can stretch her fingers across most of the seams. It makes a big difference when it comes to dribbling and shooting. She is able to get more control in both key areas of the sport.
Iowa welcomed College GameDay to town on Sunday for the final regular season game of Clark’s college basketball career and Holly Rowe shared a photo from last year’s final four. Her hands are huge.ESPN
To put the size in perspective, Clark’s hands were a solid inch longer than the Hawkeyes’ former big.
Needless to say, the greatest scorer of all-time can attribute a large part of her success to the length of her fingers and surface area of her palm. That might sound funny, because it is, but it’s true!
Barring a shocking unforeseen series of events, Caitlin Clark is going to be the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft. Her professional career is going to begin in a matter of months.
In the meantime, she and Iowa are hoping to rectify their national championship loss to LSU last year. They will likely be a No. 2 seed this time around and are not the favorites to go all of the way. That doubt is what fuels Clark’s fire. She hopes to use her giant hands to swat all of the haters aside while chasing a ring. While all of the individual accolades are great, they are not what matters to the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer!