Where is Caitlin Clark from? How Iowa basketball star became a Chiefs fan growing up

Emily Dozier

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Where is Caitlin Clark from? How Iowa basketball star became a Chiefs fan growing up image

By now, everyone knows who Caitlin Clark is.

One of the greatest women's basketball players, her collegiate career isn't even over. The Iowa star continues to write her name in history books.

There's no denying Clark's talents, even for Cyclone fans. She's taken the world by storm, attracting the eyes of other top-notch celebrities. Her star-power helped make the 2023 title game between the Hawkeyes and LSU the most-watched women's college basketball game on record.

Like every once-in-a-lifetime athlete, Clark has been compares to other all-time greats. Or rather, they've been compared to her. She's even become friends with those athletes, even if it's virtually for now.

Clark bleeds black and gold but believe it or not, she bleeds red and gold, too, for Chiefs kingdom.

MORE: Caitlin Clark's stats only begin to tell the story of her generational impact 

Where is Caitlin Clark from?

  • Hometown: West Des Moines, Iowa

Clark grew up in West Des Moines, Iowa, a 2.5-hour drive from Arrowhead Stadium.

Because there is no NFL team based in Iowa, she sees fans from a variety of teams. Some cheer for the Vikings or Packers or even the Bears. Though it wouldn't be surprising if some Hawkeye fans have changed their allegiance and followed in Clark's footsteps by rooting for the Chiefs.

"I've turned quite a few people into Chiefs fans. And I think they honestly enjoy it because watching the Chiefs is exciting, it's an exciting style of football, plays they run, things like that," Clark said in a "Defending the Kingdom" interview in April. "I think it's an easy draw for my teammates to want to watch because I feel like we play basketball kind of in that same manner."

MORE: How to watch Caitlin Clark, Hawkeyes women's college basketball games without cable

Why is Caitlin Clark a Chiefs fan?

It all started with her dad and her older brother. 

Clark's father was a big Chiefs fan, passing it on to his first-born son. Like in many ways, Clark wanted to do what her brother did so she became a fan, as well. The family had a Chiefs-themed vending machine in their basement, and Clark and her brothers would often put on their fake play helmets to go outside and tackle each other.

"It's not something I just hopped on the bandwagon when we got really, really good," Clark said. "I've always been a true fan, don't worry about that."

With family in Kansas City, the Clarks would try to go to at least one game a year. 

Last year, Clark got to go back to Arrowhead Stadium for her first game in many years. She and her family attended the Christmas Eve game where the Chiefs beat the Seahawks 24-10 in one of the coldest games in history. Chris Jones helped her family with tickets, while general manager Brett Veach made sure to get them on the field.

"My brothers were just like, just in a daze," Clark said. "They thought it was the coolest thing of all time which was super cool. And my dad. My dad's also a super big Royals fan... we were right next to the Royals stadium so they were loving it."

Clark has the experience memorialized thanks to a jersey signed by Jones, which now hangs in her Des Moines bedroom.

While she previously mentioned wanting to be at the Super Bowl 57 rematch when the Eagles visit Kansas City, joining the ManningCast seems like it will suffice.

Caitlin Clark high school

Clark attended Dowling Catholic High School and graduated in 2020.

She played four years of varsity basketball for the Maroons, and was named first-team Class 5A All-State for three of those seasons. 

On Feb. 4, 2019, during her junior year, Clark scored 60 points against Mason City High, recording the second-highest single-game point total in Iowa girls' basketball. She also set the state's single-game record with 13 three-pointers in that game. 

She led the state in scoring her junior and senior seasons, in which she was also named Iowa Gatorade Player of the Year. She closed out her career with 2,547 points and 283 three-pointers, which ranked as the fourth-most and sixth-most, respectively, in Iowa girls basketball history. 

She was the No. 4 overall recruit out of the class of 2020.

Her averages for each high school season are as follows.

Season Points Assists Rebounds Steals
2016-2017 15.3 4.7 - 2.3
2017-2018 17.2 4 6.5 2.3
2018-2019 32.6 3.6 6.8 2.3
2019-2020 33.4 4 8 2.7

Caitlin Clark and Patrick Mahomes

Clark revealed in January with Chad Leistikow's Hawk Central radio show that she greatly admires Patrick Mahomes, the current Chiefs quarterback. Turns out, the feeling is mutual, as they've developed a friendship through social media.

"Patrick has DM’d me on Twitter before, like, 'I’m a big fan of you. I’m going to try to come to a game,'" she said. "I don’t know if he’s actually going to ever do that, but, hey, if he wants to, courtside at Carver. Let’s make it happen."

MORE: How Caitlin Clark and Patrick Mahomes forged a Twitter friendship based on mutual admiration

It's easy to understand why the two root for each other. They're the best in their resptective sports, with Mahomes winning MVP last year en route to a Super Bowl title. Clark's Hawkeyes fell just short of an NCAA Championship, losing to LSU in the finals, but she was still named the Naismith National Player of the Year. On Nov. 12, she became Iowa's all-time leading scorer with 2,813 points after defeating Northern Iowa. That number is only climbing.

The Iowa star wants to get to another Chiefs game this year, though she was hoping for a game before basketball season started so she wouldn't have to wear three layers. Luckily for Mahomes, if and when he arrives in Iowa City to watch Clark, he won't have to worry about the weather, or boos, inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

"I think honestly Iowa fans, I've made them even Chiefs fans because they know much I love the Chiefs," Clar said. "And now all of them are saying 'We gotta get Patrick Mahomes to a game.' Before I graduate, we gotta make that happen."

Emily Dozier

Emily Dozier Photo

Emily Dozier is a live events and lifestyle writer at The Sporting News, covering everything from sporting events and music festivals to broadway shows and stand-up comedy. Based out of New York, she graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. When not covering the SN tickets beat, Emily enjoys playing volleyball and cooking. Prior to joining The Sporting News in 2023, Emily covered the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup for the Associated Press.