PARIS — Caitlin Clark celebrated her 23rd birthday on Wednesday, and in a show of admiration, Tyrese Haliburton, a standout player for the Indiana Pacers, took the opportunity to express his high regard for her talents.

Haliburton is a prominent figure in the NBA, just as Clark is an emerging star in the WNBA with the Indiana Fever, where she earned the title of rookie of the year last season. The two have forged a friendship, often praising each other publicly. During an event in Paris—prior to the first of two upcoming games between San Antonio and Indiana—Haliburton remarked that Clark has emerged as a significant figure in basketball, transcending beyond just the women’s league. He stated, “I think when it comes to the game of basketball, she’s probably in the top-five most famous people that are playing now, just in general.” He commended her for handling the spotlight with poise, highlighting her humble roots as “just a girl from Iowa who is just really good at basketball.”

Their connection makes sense given their shared backgrounds, both hailing from the Midwest and serving as central figures for their respective teams. Both are exceptional point guards known for their scoring abilities and shooting ranges. Though they haven’t collaborated on major initiatives yet, Haliburton expressed hope for future partnerships between them.

Haliburton regards the Fever, along with Clark, as pioneers in advancing the WNBA and expressed his willingness to support their efforts. “Anything that I can do to help, I will. But I don’t think she necessarily needs my help,” Haliburton acknowledged, adding, “To see what they’re doing for women’s basketball as a whole has been really cool. She’s spearheaded that, so I’m just glad to be a part of the journey and watch what she does.”

Looking ahead, the NBA has not disclosed future plans for games in Paris, but it appears likely that more will be scheduled in upcoming years. The San Antonio Spurs are eager to participate, especially with the emergence of French star Victor Wembanyama, who has quickly become a key presence for the team. With a strong fan base in France, cultivated by previous legends like Tony Parker and Boris Diaw, the organization is witnessing a surge in local interest.

This week’s series against Indiana is reinforcing the Spurs’ connection to France. “Any time we have an opportunity to play internationally, we want to be in that rotation,” said Spurs CEO R.C. Buford. During their visit, the team has also established a pop-up shop, selling exclusive merchandise, including items featuring Wembanyama and Chris Paul, as well as jerseys representing franchise icons like Parker, Manu Ginobili, and Tim Duncan.

Buford also addressed the logistics of the trip, noting its high cost. “It’s an expensive trip,” he commented. “The economics say a single trip probably isn’t a big moneymaker. However, our goal is to show the community of France that we’re here for the long run.”

The games are expected to attract a significant local crowd, as well as a diverse global audience; fans from more than 53 nations have secured tickets for the matchups, setting a record for NBA events worldwide. This marks the NBA’s 96th and 97th games in Europe and the 14th and 15th games in France, coinciding with a season that celebrates four decades since the league’s inaugural European matches. This is also the Spurs’ first game in France since the preseason in 2006, while it marks Indiana’s debut in the country.