INDIANAPOLIS — Everywhere you go these days, pickleball has taken over.
It is grabbing everyone's attention — including Fever star Erica Wheeler.
With paddle in hand, Wheeler was wheeling some power.
She loves the sport so much, she hosted her first ever pickleball charity event.
It raised money for her Wheeler Kid Foundation. That foundation "improves the lives of children by giving them the opportunity to choose a positive path in life through access to and participation in a wide range of extracurricular activities and clubs."
"If you know me, you know I love giving back. And I tell people all the time, before basketball player, I'm a great human being. And I know one of my passions is just being able to give back. And today I just wanted to put on this pickleball event to get the community to connect with each other in a different way," Wheeler said. "I just wanted people to connect with each other and just be able to see us in a different lens and not always in a basketball lens."
Caitlin Clark was there sharing some laughs along with teammate Lexie Hull, who also has some pickleball game.
"Her foundation is amazing. So to be able to have some fun while doing something so meaningful and impactful — it's been really fun," Hull said.
All the money raised from the event goes into the Wheeler Kid Foundation.
Wheeler's mother died of cancer 12 years ago, and she wants to host a walk in her mother's name next year.
"So for me, I just want to dedicate something to her. Obviously keep her legacy alive," Wheeler said. "I think cancer speaks to a lot of people. A lot of people have lost loved ones to it. And I think it's a great way to get people together who share the same pain but also have some joy in it."
The pickleball was a fun day that supported a great cause.
Wheeler took home the victory — and bragging rights — but Hull promises to get her next time.