Caitlin Clark High School coach talks about her success

Caitlin Clark High School coach is pleasantly surprised by her former student's recent success.

Christine Meyer coached the newly drafted WNBA player, 22, for four years at Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines, Iowa. However, she was amazed by what the young athlete accomplished in her collegiate career with the Iowa Hockey League.

“It was a very special moment,” Mayer said. TMZ in an interview published on Wednesday, April 17, in reference to Clark's announcement as the No. 1 pick of the Indiana Fever earlier this week.

“Obviously, I think we all assumed she was going to come in first, but hearing her name called and seeing her get up on stage was really cool and made me think about all the years of work she's put in to put herself in the position to earn this opportunity,” Mayer added.

Clark made history as the all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division I basketball, with more points than any other man or woman.

At the time, the then-college student was playing in the final regular-season game against the Ohio State Buckeyes last month.

“I can't say I honestly expected this!” Meyer told TMZ about Clark's impressive accomplishment.

“I always assumed she would be successful knowing her work ethic and passion for the sport, but this level of success, especially the level of fame she has achieved, it's just something I don't think anyone can achieve,” the coach continued. “I made a prediction.”

The 2024 WNBA Draft on April 15 garnered a total of 2.45 million viewers — making it the most-watched draft in the history of the women's league, ESPN said in a statement. press release.

These numbers are due in part to Clark declaring for the draft in February.

“Even though this season is far from over and we have a lot of goals to accomplish, this will be my last at Iowa. I'm excited to enter the 2024 WNBA Draft,” Clark began. statementIt was shared on X, formerly known as Twitter.

On April 13, the football player made a cameo appearance saturday night live, Stopping by the “Weekend Update” desk alongside Michael Che and Colin Jost.

After visiting Studio 8H in Rockefeller Plaza, cast member Bowen Yang exclusively told PEOPLE that Clark was “charming and very smart.”

Speaking to TMZ, Mayer added that after her years spent working with up-and-coming talent, she's happy that others will be able to see what she previously witnessed, and amplify it.

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She also sees it as an opportunity to “bring more attention” to women's sports.

“I'm excited to see her grow as she faces a challenge – obviously she's going to be facing the best players in the world and I think she realizes that's going to be a challenge,” Mayer added in the six-minute interview.

However, Mayer said she believes her former student will have no trouble adjusting.