HEADING TO TEXAS: Caitlin Clark Launches $20 Million Relief Fund and Flies to Texas to Help Children, Becoming the First WNBA Star to Lead Disaster Aid for One Powerful Reason
In a remarkable show of unity, empathy, and direct action, basketball sensation Caitlin Clark has launched a $20 million fundraising campaign and is preparing to travel personally to Texas to support children devastated by the catastrophic flash floods that have ravaged communities across the state. As the first WNBA athlete to take such hands-on action, Clark is not only donating — she’s showing up in person, driven by one deeply moving conviction: “No child should suffer alone.”
A Star Who Leads With Heart
Caitlin Clark, known nationwide for her electrifying performances on the court, has once again shown that her true greatness lies in compassion and leadership off the court. Clark confirmed that she is mobilizing her resources, partners, and network to help the most vulnerable victims of this disaster — the children who have lost homes, schools, and even loved ones in the floods.
“We’re not just about basketball. We’re about family and community. When kids are hurting, we act,” Clark said in a statement that quickly went viral. “I will be there in person, in Texas. Because these kids deserve more than our thoughts — they deserve our help.”
A Relief Effort Unlike Any Other
Clark’s $20 million campaign aims to build temporary shelters, trauma care units, mobile learning centers, and supply hubs in flood-affected areas. Within just 24 hours of her announcement, $7 million had already been pledged by fellow athletes, sponsors, and fans nationwide. Notably, several WNBA stars and coaches have pledged personal donations and confirmed they will join Clark in Texas as part of the relief team.
Clark emphasized that this effort is about personal involvement, not publicity. “Basketball teaches you resilience in tough moments. But life teaches you to stand with those in need. I’m heading to Texas not for cameras, not for headlines — but because it’s the right thing to do.”
Coordinated Relief and Community Support
Clark will coordinate with local Texas authorities, Red Cross teams, and youth support organizations to ensure resources reach the children and families who need them most. Plans include providing emergency food kits, emotional support counselors, and safe, child-friendly zones in temporary housing areas.
Her unprecedented action has sparked admiration and gratitude far beyond the world of sports. The campaign’s slogan — “Strong Game, Stronger Heart” — is resonating nationwide, with hashtags like #ClarkForTexas and #HeartOverHoops trending across social media.
Inspiring a Nation
Even rival athletes and teams have acknowledged Clark’s leadership. Prominent NBA and WNBA figures have praised her initiative, while league officials are encouraging more players and teams to take similar action.
As Caitlin Clark prepares to fly to Texas, she reminds us all that basketball is more than a game — it’s a platform for real impact. Her dedication proves that when the nation hurts, true leaders step forward, leading not just with talent, but with heart and humanity.
Clark’s message is clear: In the face of tragedy, no child should feel alone. And as she heads to Texas, she brings with her not just resources and relief, but hope, dignity, and the unwavering support of a nation inspired by her example.
SEE MORE: The real reason WNBA players ranked Caitlin Clark so low in All-Star voting
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The WNBA All-Star game is headed to Indianapolis in a few weeks, and the starters for the big event were announced earlier in the week. The voting to choose the starters was weighted 50% with fan votes, 25% with media ballots, ans 25% with the players making a ballot themselves. In the end, Napheesa Collier and Caitlin Clark were named captains of the teams with the most fan votes.
Joining them in the starting group will be Paige Bueckers, Nneka Ogwumike, Sabrina Ionescu, A’ja Wilson, Allisha Gray, Breanna Stewart, Aliyah Boston and Satou Sabally.
As always, the full voting breakdown was released by the WNBA, but this year, one factor shocked fans: Caitlin Clark was ranked No. 9 among guards by her peers, the players.
However, despite the outrage by some Clark fans online, the Fever star getting ranked a little lower by players isn’t about jealousy or resentment, because it actually… makes sense for basketball reasons. Stay with me here!
First, players are making these choices based on everyone’s performances this season. Not a player’s potential on paper, not their 2024 season, not their accolades and records, or how much interest they bring to the WNBA. Simply how they have played in the first 15ish games of 2025.
When you contextualize it like that, a few facts come to mind about Clark’s 2025 season:
She’s only played in nine games so far, as she’s been in and out with injury. First, it was the quad strain that kept her out for three weeks; now she’s been out with a groin injury. That’s only in the 29th percentile of the league for games played this season, per Her Hoop Stats.
Clark ranks 12th in the WNBA in points per game (18.2), 13th in field goals made (6.1 per game), 88th in three-point percentage (29.5%), 3rd in three-pointers made (2.6 per game), 35th in rebounds per game (5.0), 2nd in assists per game (8.9), 1st in turnovers per game (5.9), and 14th in steals per game (1.6).
Players very likely took a look at these stats when making their choices for All-Star voting. They also watch a ton of film just in their everyday training, in order to learn the scouting report on opponents and prepare for games. They aren’t going to have the same allegiances fans have, and know these stats and how much they affect games better than anyone.
The players do not hate Clark, and these votes aren’t evidence of some grand conspiracy against her; if anything, they respect her enough to rank her fairly despite some of her struggles. The conspiracy that everyone is out to get Clark, that everyone hates her, just infantilizes her more. She can handle criticism of her game because, hopefully, it will make her better.
Constructive criticism and challenges are good things for anyone, regardless of what kind of career you have. Take writing, for example — if no one gives writers notes, they would never know how to become better writers. It’s the same for players — how can they look at the stats they rank lower in and make adjustments to their games to improve?
It’s good that Clark hasn’t hit her peak in her second professional season. We want her to get better. Imagine how fun that will be to watch? She’s also had a challenging season physically, as her body adjusts to playing more games in a shorter amount of time. In college, they play once a week, if not less, and anyone would need to adjust to playing nearly every other day. When you add on how much Clark does on the floor as well, her body needing time to rest makes sense too.
All of this being said, it’s okay that she got ranked No. 9 among guards. She’s still a starter, she’s still a captain, she’ll be at the game. She’s a great player with great potential, but these players’ votes are purely about the season she is having right now.
