Olivia Miles, Caitlin Clark among WNBA stars who attribute hoops skills to soccer background
John Pearson, the former Dowling Catholic High girls’ soccer coach, doesn’t remember every detail of his team’s match from April 30, 2018. But he’ll never forget what he saw Caitlin Clark do on the field that day in Iowa. Dowling trailed Johnston 2-0 in the second half. Even after Dowling scored once, Pearson told his assistant coach, “If (Johnston) scores another one, we’re down and out.”…
Caitlin Clark and Olivia Miles are among several WNBA stars who attribute their basketball skills to a background in soccer. The two played soccer in high school before dedicating themselves fully to basketball. Clark, in particular, was a standout soccer player at Dowling Catholic High School, where she was later selected to the 2017 Class 3A All-Iowa Girls Soccer Team.
She won a match against Johnston 3-2 when she scored a crucial goal in the 70th minute. The soccer experience helped Clark develop agility, foot speed, and the ability to read angles, which she now applies as a basketball player. Miles, too, played soccer in high school and credits the sport for her physical conditioning and playmaking abilities.
Both athletes have leveraged their soccer backgrounds to excel in the WNBA, showcasing their versatility and leadership on the court.
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