Kembali
Caitlin Clark revealed Tuesday that she received a memorable gift from LeBron James after watching the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Indiana Pacers last week.
The Indiana Fever star shared the story during a special episode of “Not Gonna Lie With Kylie Kelce,” explaining why the item from the four-time NBA MVP immediately earned a place among her most treasured memorabilia.
Clark told Kelce she doesn’t usually want signed jerseys, but James’ was different.
“I’ve met LeBron many times before, but he gave me his signed, game-worn Sixers jersey,” Clark said. “I don’t really want that many people’s signed jerseys, but that’s one where I’m like, ‘That’ll be getting framed. … ASAP.'”
According to NBC Sports Philadelphia, James gave Clark the No. 23 jersey in a hallway near the visiting locker room following the win. The former Iowa standout had watched from courtside with a camera, and the 76ers posted photos of the two together under the caption “Just a couple of hoopers.”
The conversation with Kelce also turned to Philadelphia’s sports fans, with the city set to welcome a WNBA team in 2030.
“I love how passionate the fans are,” Clark said. “They’re crazy, but I think it’s awesome. Phillies fans and Eagles fans, Sixers fans, they all seem kind of nuts, but I love it. … They want to win just as much as the players do, possibly more, honestly.”
Kelce floated the idea of attending a 76ers game together at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
“I need to experience the fans up close,” Clark said.
Philadelphia may be the newest link between Clark and James, but their connection goes back well before his move to the 76ers. During her rookie WNBA season in 2024, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer spoke publicly about the attention and criticism she was receiving.
“I’m rooting for Caitlin because I’ve been in that seat before,” James said. “I’ve walked that road before.”
The Fever star has also photographed the four-time NBA champion during games. In March, she held a photographer’s credential when the Los Angeles Lakers visited Indiana and later shared her pictures with the caption “The KING … Shot by ME.”
Their connection nearly took on a different form before the 22-time NBA All-Star chose Philadelphia. At a press conference before WNBA All-Star weekend in July, Clark made the case for him to join the Pacers, who share Gainbridge Fieldhouse with the Fever.
James instead announced on July 24 that he was signing with the 76ers after spending his first 23 NBA seasons across two stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers, four seasons with the Miami Heat, and eight with the Lakers.
“I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team, and I am so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time,” James wrote.