Eli K. has been practicing his basketball skills and is ready for a rematch with WNBA star Caitlin Clark after she blocked his shot just a few weeks ago. This time with a twist – he’s bringing along his friends from Boys & Girls Club of Boone County for support.
This heartwarming story begins with the viral video where Clark blocks 7-year-old Eli’s shot during a Habitat for Humanity build in Zionsville, IN. After Eli’s family lost their home in a devastating house fire, Caitlin joined the organization in rebuild efforts. The video showcases Clark’s playful interaction with the young boy, who was trying to make a shot on a mini basketball hoop.
The video showcases Clark’s playful interaction with the young boy, who was trying to make a shot on a mini basketball hoop. “Not fair!” Eli is heard calling out after Clark knocks the ball down. Later, he shared with Fox 59 why it wasn’t fair — “because she’s so tall and good.”
And thus, a good-hearted rivalry was born.
Eli’s journey took another turn as Clark invited Eli’s family courtside to the Indiana Fever game against the Chicago Sky. That game drew record-breaking viewership and happened to fall on Eli’s sister’s ninth birthday – Clark greeted her “rival” with a warm hug to show no hard feelings for the blocked shot.
Eli’s dad, Dusten, was also in attendance and spoke to reporters, calling Boys & Girls Clubs of Boone County a “second home,” reminiscing about the impact the organization has had on his family to on-site reporters. “I found out about Boys & Girls Clubs because being a single parent I have to work, and most jobs don’t line up with the school day, so I reached out,” said Dusten. “The Club has loved on our family through the good times and bad. They were there to hold them and let them cry when they lost their grandpa, and when we lost our house to a fire. They were there to cheer them on as they played their sports and won their basketball championships.”
Boys & Girls Clubs of America supports young people and communities year-round through safe and inclusive places, caring mentors and life-enhancing programs that build essential skills to empower all youth to reach their full potential. As a Boys & Girls Club member, Eli exemplifies the resilience and sportsmanship Clubs actively teach youth — as well as the Club’s spirit of fun.
An advocate for the organization’s mission, Clark has also been known to support Boys & Girls Clubs in her home state of Iowa. “This is a memory Eli and his family will share forever,” Clark told reporters at the game. “And for me, that’s super cool. That means so much more to me than getting to suit up and play tonight.”
We’ll see if Eli and his Boys & Girls Club team will get another shot on the court with Caitlin Clark, who has plenty of teammates of her own. In the meantime, he can be found on the court at the Club, practicing his free throws.
Boys & Girls Club of Boone County is part of Boys & Girls Clubs of Indiana, a collective of 31 Boys & Girls Clubs organizations with 163 Club sites, serving 100,000 youth collectively. They work together as one “Movement” to provide safe spaces and quality programs that build essential skills to ensure all children have the opportunity to reach their full potential. Learn more at IndianaBGC.org.
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