The star guard told reporters she is “100% healthy” after quadriceps, groin and ankle injuries limited her to just 13 games last year. But Clark and Fever head coach Stephanie White have talked about being cautious with the number of practice reps she takes early in training camp as she works her way back.
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“I’m a person who doesn’t want to be left out of a single rep, like I want to be there every time,” Clark said, via Brian Haenchen of the Indianapolis Star. “But I think being a little smarter with my body… whether it’s recovery, pre-court treatment, whatever.”
Clark added that training and playing with the US women’s basketball team during the FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifying tournament in March was a good experience, competing against the best players in the sport.“You want to reach the level of the people around you and then you also want to beat them, get on the court and compete,” he said.
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While preparing for World Cup qualifiers, Clark admitted that trying to overcome her injuries instead of properly resting and recovering may have resulted in her playing when she was not fully healthy.
In her 13 games with the Fever last season, Clark averaged 16.5 points, 8.8 assists and 5 rebounds per game. He shot 28% on 104 three-point attempts.
White said Clark taking it slow also provides an opportunity for the Fever to work on players they added in free agency, including guard Tyasha Harris and forwards Myisha Hines-Allen and Monique Billings.
“She doesn’t have to be present for every rep, just be aware,” White said (via Tony East). “Every year you get older, you understand the cadence is a little different.”
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Several Fever players suffered injuries last season, including Kelsey Mitchell, Lexie Hull and Sophie Cunningham. Forward Aliyah Boston also suffered a leg injury during the Unrivaled playoffs, but is apparently ready to go to camp.
The Fever brought back the core of last year’s playoff team, re-signing Mitchell, Hull and Cunningham, while also signing Boston to a four-year, $6.3 million contract extension that is the richest total package in WNBA history.
Indiana finished 24-20, making the playoffs as a sixth seed. The Fever defeated the Atlanta Fever in the first round before losing to the eventual league champion Las Vegas Aces.