Lin Dunn found the perfect ending for her career: Caitlin Clark

It has been the perfect ending to Lin Dunn’s career.

Then-Pacers CEO Rick Fuson reached out to the legendary women’s basketball coach and executive to be a consultant with the Indiana Fever prior to the 2022 WNBA Draft and Dunn became general manager in early 2023.

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Dunn had a feeling of what that would mean: Caitlin Clark. It was just a gut feeling. She had scouted Clark. She saw her quick mind and brilliant passes and her relentless grit.

“I watched Caitlin Clark and I thought, ‘Oh boy, here she comes,'” Dunn says. “I knew Clark was going to be great. And I was just, ‘Gosh, we’ve got to get her. How am I going to get her and not break the rules? We’re going to have to figure out a way to get her.'”

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Lin Dunn, legend of women’s basketball, Indiana Fever through the years

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Lin Dunn, legend of women’s basketball, Indiana Fever through the years

Then came the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA draft. That was the Fever’s pick: Caitlin Clark.

“And I’m thinking, ‘OK, now we’re going to have (Kelsey) Mitchell and (Aliyah) Boston and Caitlin Clark,” Dunn says. “And then, there we go.”

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The seats of Gainbridge Fieldhouse were immediately filled up to the rafters and Dunn was in awe. People who had never watched women’s professional basketball before turned and looked, and they saw what a great sport this was.

Dunn was there when the Fever opened to the city and the seats didn’t fill up. She was there leading the team to its first and only WNBA title in 2012. And now she’s there with the stands sold out as Clark ignited a league explosion.

“I’m thankful I had the opportunity in the twilight of my career, because this is the twilight of my career, this is the last round, trust me, to work with the best of the best with the Fever,” Dunn said. “Because I worked with some crazy people early on in crazy situations, but they made me better. And I’m forever grateful.”

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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Caitlin Clark is the perfect ending to the legendary career of Lin Dunn