Caitlin Clark’s Iowa Replacement Eyes WNBA Breakout After Dominant Australian Championship Run

The 2026 season will start with a clean slate and new ambitions for every team and player. Talking about a season aspiration, the Valkyries’ coach, Natalie Nakase, also mentioned that no previous accolades will matter in the 2026 season, and every player will have to start fresh. Caitlin Clark is certainly ready to pounce on the opportunity after missing the majority of the 2025 season.

Although the former Iowa star received the bad news that Kate Martin’s waiver was denied, there is another Iowa star who is looking for a breakout season following a major overseas accomplishment.

Caitlin Clark’s Former Iowa Teammate Looking For Breakout Season

The F2024 Fever rookie made her mark in the NCA Tournament and finished her college career as an all-time leading scorer, leading the side to the back-to-back finals. After her departure to the WNBA, the program chose another explosive scorer to take control of the games, Lucy Olsen, who played for one season at the Hawkeyes arena.

Although she impressed with a nearly 18-point average and a career high five assists per game in her sole season with Iowa, the player entered the league as the 23rd overall pick by the Mystics. But now, being confident with a WNBL championship under her belt, the 23-year-old said, “I think I just improved because I had to be out of my comfort zone and learn new things.”

Lucy Olsen has been named the WNBL Sixth Woman of the Year 🏆 https://t.co/83CKILPZS0 pic.twitter.com/MBvMN9npiu

— E J 🏀 (@EJayArrow) February 9, 2026

“So I think I just got better at getting to the rim. I’ve always had a three-point shot, but I guess just knocking that down when I’m open but yeah, no, I think just getting more comfortable with the offense and adding basic things that I thought I had, and I guess I just needed to get better at,” Olsen added.

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The Mystics’ rookie won the Sixth Player of the Year accolade with the Townsville Fire and won the WNBA championship, averaging 8.4 points, 3.3 assists, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.1 steals across 27 games. In the young Washington team, she would look for more opportunities to shine.

As for CC, the player had a small injury during a preseason game against the Wings. Luckily, she will be able to play in the season opener and continue contributing to her team. But the coach is looking to use her wisely in the season.

Special Tactics By Stephane White For Caitlin Clark

Even though the Fever team impressed in the 2025 season without the two-time All-Star, her injury cost the team a championship. Now the coach is looking to utilize her wisely and hint at sharing the ball more, using the playmaker off-ball.

“The way that teams play Caitlin is different from everyone else. To alleviate some pressure, we need to get her off the ball sometimes… & not all the time. It’s a way to help her load management, to alleviate the extra stuff that is put on her shoulders in the course of a game,” White said in the press conference.

“The way that teams play Caitlin is different from everyone. To alleviate some pressure, we need to get her off the ball sometimes… & not all the time. It’s a way to help her load management, to alleviate the extra stuff that is put on her shoulders in a course of a game.” pic.twitter.com/Sc6T1FyakX

— allison (@_girltalk) May 4, 2026

Napheesa Collier also complained about the physicality in the league. While there are some concrete steps on this, the Fever team will look for various options to help them win and protect their stars.