"Don't beat yourself up over it": Erica Wheeler relays how she helped Caitlin Clark regroup after debut with Indiana Fever (Exclusive)

The incident highlighted how Indiana Fever guard Erica Wheeler has supported rookie Caitlin Clark.

Following the Fever’s 92-71 season-opening loss to the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday, Wheeler talked directly to Clark about the good (20 points), bad (5-for-15 shooting) and ugly (10 turnovers). Wheeler offered honesty and grace instead of effusive criticism or praise.

“‘We have a game in 48 hours,’” Wheeler recalled telling Clark. “‘Let it go. Learn from it. We’re going to watch the film. But don’t beat yourself up about it.’”

Ahead of the Fever’s game against the New York Liberty on Thursday, Wheeler spoke to Sportskeeda about various topics. Of course that included Clark and embracing a mentorship role. But Wheeler also dished about the Fever’s improved chemistry, Aliyah Boston and the team’s playoff expectations.

Editor’s note: The following one-on-one conversation has been edited and condensed.

I know it’s only one game. But what’s your perspective on the season-opening loss to Connecticut?

Erica Wheeler:

“I think it’s a lesson. You got to understand that Connecticut is probably the best defensive team in the league. For me, I’m happy that it’s happened early versus later. I think now we know what it’s like. Now our awareness is at a higher level than what it was. It was at a high level. Make no mistake. We didn’t walk into that game thinking that it was going to easy. But I think that we definitely got another layer and fire in us that we’re not just going to get punked like that. We’re going to be ready. Also, I’m happy that it happened early.”

Are there any other lessons beyond what you already mentioned?

Erica Wheeler:

“I think taking care of the ball. I think that’s what stuck out the most. More importantly, sticking to what we do and do what the team is supposed to do. That’s what’s most important.”

As one of Caitlin’s vets, what lessons do you take away from her season opener?

Erica Wheeler:

“Honestly that we have a game today [against New York]. I told her then ‘That we have a game in 48 hours. Let it go. Learn from it. We’re going to watch the film. But don’t beat yourself up about it. It happens to the best of us. Unfortunately, it happened to you (laughs). But I feel like the world always expects her to always spill out greatness not knowing that she’s 22 and still a kid. She doesn’t know what she doesn’t know. I feel like they give her a very heavy crown. Us as teammates, we don’t treat her like that. We understand grace and we understand that things are going to happen. The more that the world is giving what they’re giving, we are wrapping our arms around her. ‘Watch the film, learn from it and more importantly, just try not to do it again (laughs).’”

Why do you think it is important to have that approach as a teammate with offering both grace and honesty?

Erica Wheeler:

“It’s everything. At the end of the day, we’re human. For the people, outside world and reporters and everybody, we’re human, Basketball is what we do. Not every day is going to be a great day. We strive to have a great day every day. It just doesn’t happen like that.”

As both an accomplished player and a valued veteran, what do you think has gone into your ability and willingness to embrace that role?

Erica Wheeler:

“I’m adjustable. People have forgotten now. Think about my journey. I went undrafted [in 2013]. People only found out about me because I became an All-Star MVP [in 2019]. Other than that, I don’t think anybody would have known who I was. But it’s fun. I love being the underdog. I love when people underestimate me. But I think this is the first time that I’ve ever been able to just play my veteran leadership and be able to display being a big sister. Ultimately, I tell people all the time, ‘Before I’m a basketball player, I’m a great human being.’ I’ll give my shirt off my back to anybody. Anybody I can come into contact with, I’m always nice and pleasant because the world is already cold. For me, I try to be that 1 percenter and try to give out goodness in the world.”

I know there’s team goals. But given what you just said, what are your personal goals for this season?

Erica Wheeler:

“Honestly, man, I just want to make the playoffs. I don’t care about that personal stuff. It’s about getting back to the playoffs. We haven’t been back to the playoffs since Tamika Catchings left [retired in 2016]. I think that’s my main focus. Whatever happens individually other than reaching that goal is a plus. But honestly, we just want to make the playoffs. It’s about just staying consistent. I think it’s about being consistent and everybody understanding what they need to bring to the team every day on a consistent night. I think everything will take care of itself.”

What have been your impressions of what the team’s chemistry has been like so far?

Erica Wheeler:

“We’re having more fun. Last year, we had to get out all of the bad stuff. This year, we have a lot more fun. We have a great group. We’re young, but we have more experience. NaLyssa [Smith] had never gone overseas. Now she went overseas. AB is in her second year. We have Kelsey Mitchell. We have Grace [Berger] go overseas as well. Even though we’re young, they have more games under their belt. I’m excited to see how that keeps going. I think we’ll be fine.”

With you saying you got some out of the some of the bad stuff from last season, what were the learning curves you all have overcome?

Erica Wheeler:

“I think it was just culture stuff. There were a lot of ground rules that wasn’t set that are pretty firm and set now. There’s a lot of things that we had to worry about last year that is now non-existent. For me, I always think about progression. I feel like we’re moving in a great direction already because there are things we worried about last year that don’t even exist.”

Any examples jump that that you all are doing differently this season?

Erica Wheeler:

“That’s in-house stuff. Coaching is in-house stuff. I can’t give you that.”

Fair enough. Speaking of having more fun. I saw you post some videos about flying on the team’s charter plane. What was that experience like?

Erica Wheeler:

“It was pretty dope. I’ve flown charter before. I have a couple of NFL guys and know some people in high places. But I think it’s pretty cool that the WNBA has made that step first to get charter flights. The one that we actually had was pretty dope. I think it was an NBA airplane that most NBA teams use. For us to be able to have that was super dope. It wasn’t just a little plane with a couple of seats. We had space.”

What’s your outlook on what that development means in the big picture?

Erica Wheeler:

“I’m even keel. I’m more so ‘I don’t believe it until I see it.’ We can keep talking about it. But I don’t believe it until I see it. Yeah, we got one flight. But who’s to say we’re going to have more and more? I’ll believe it when I see it.”

Another fun moment I saw is when you trolled Caitlin during her practice interview. How did that idea come up?

Erica Wheeler:

“Me and her dynamic is pretty cool, I think. It just started out when she got drafted. I think me welcoming her in. I feel like people are not used to vets and even more so the player in the same position welcoming a player in like that. Most people are intimidated or think they’re going to take my spot. For me, I don’t care about that stuff. I know this kid has the weight of the world on her shoulders. I’m not about to add on it as a teammate. Before I’m a basketball player, I’m a great human being. I’m excited for her to be here with us. I’m excited about what she brings to our team. That’s a plus for everybody, not just her. The world is watching us. For me to welcome her in like that, I’ve done that to multiple people. I wouldn’t change how I did it because, at the end of the day, I’m the leader of this team. I’m also one of her big sisters that she can always count on. We really just have a fun relationship. We make jokes half the time. We had a serious moment once since she’s been here. But ultimately, we’re always making jokes and trying to have fun.”

How do you see Aliyah Boston building off of last season with both her play and forming chemistry with Caitlin?

Erica Wheeler:

“I think she’s doing a great job. I don’t think it gets highlighted as much because everybody is just loving how me and Clark is. But everybody has a relationship with Clark. Everybody spends time with her. But you know how it is. Video and what’s being put out is what’s being put out. But make no mistake. Clark has relationships with everybody on this team. She talks with everybody. She laughs and jokes with everybody. She’s super receptive. She doesn’t have a big ego. She’s not selfish. She’s building the relationship with everybody. But I think the media just highlights me and her relationship (with me). People think it is unique, and it is because nobody expects me to be how I am and be so welcoming.”

To your point about highlighting everything that gets attention or doesn’t, how do you envision that translating into the regular season with a vet like you, the two young stars and the selfless attitude?

Erica Wheeler:

“It’s going to be good. It gives us a dynamic where we can play fast or we can play slow. We can give different type of vibes with the style of play. But ultimately we want to play fast because we are young. I’m 33 years old, but I’m moving pretty fast at 33. I’m probably top five when it comes to speed on the court. But the youth is good. The youth is good because you can always fix it. There’s always something to learn. They also have fun. They keep me young, so I have that."

"Give us grace. Everybody expects everything to be right away. I tell people all the time. Think about the Las Vegas Aces. They got their ass kicked the first four years, and then they started winning their championships. It doesn’t happen overnight. We have a unicorn of a kid. We have Aliyah Boston. But it doesn’t happen overnight.”

Mark Medina is an NBA insider with Sportskeeda. Follow him on X, Instagram, Facebook and Threads.