Caitlin Clark has rapidly become one of the most popular atheletes in the world of sports. She took the WNBA by storm, shattering records and making a big impact for the Indiana fever. Then again, her easy-going and down-to-earth nature off the court is in contrast to her tough persona on it. Notably, that might come from her family.

In an appearance at the "2024 Massachusetts Conference for Women" on Dec. 12, Clark said that coming from an Italian family, she had no choice but to toughen up against the older, bigger and better competition: "I always had to find a way to hold my own," Clark said. "Whether it was older cousins, whether it was the boys I was playing with, whether I was playing other big girls, whatever it was."