Caitlin Clark has built her basketball career on fearless shooting, extraordinary confidence and a willingness to take risks that other players wouldn’t even consider. But as Nike’s latest campaign reveals, even the Indiana Fever superstar had something that terrified her growing up.
A neighborhood cat named Jinx.
Just in time for Halloween, Nike has unveiled a new commercial celebrating the Caitlin 1 “Jinx,” a special edition of Clark’s first signature basketball shoe inspired by an unlikely childhood memory.
The ad features actor Nick Offerman narrating the story of a young Clark and the neighbor’s cat that frightened her during her childhood.
*Just the Caitlin 1 ‘Jinx.’
Face your fears. Then lace them up. https://t.co/Lu99sYFAyu
— Nike Basketball (@nikebasketball) October 30, 2026
Rather than drawing inspiration from a traditional horror movie or fictional monster, Nike turned the personal story into a playful celebration of overcoming fear.
Nike accompanied the release with a fitting message: “Face your fears. Then lace them up.”
The Caitlin 1 “Jinx” features a predominantly black upper with Ghost Green and Mint Foam accents, including glowing elements along the shoe. A witch-inspired illustration on the insoles adds another Halloween detail.
Underneath the spooky makeover, the sneaker retains the performance features of Clark’s original signature model, including Nike’s Opticast upper, forefoot Air Zoom Turbo cushioning and Cushlon foam.
Priced at $150, the special-edition sneaker became available to selected customers through Nike’s SNKRS Exclusive Access program on October 30, with availability varying by market.
The launch comes just weeks after Clark’s first signature collection officially debuted globally on October 1, marking another milestone in her growing partnership with Nike.
And while the Caitlin 1 was designed to reflect the fearlessness that has defined Clark’s basketball career, its latest colorway offers a more personal twist.
