Barack Obama gives WNBA All-Stars wisdom and a little presidential aura

The WNBA All-Stars were the first professional players to christen the court at the Obama Presidential Center.

So it was fitting that former President Barack Obama, a devoted basketball fan, surprised the group with a short speech Friday before greeting players individually.

‘‘The way the game has been going lately, people paying attention to your excellence, it’s been making me happy,’’ Obama said.

His appearance left an impression on everyone, including on one of the faces of the league.

Now in her third season, Fever star Caitlin Clark has helped to bring an enormous new audience to the WNBA. Her massive stardom also has subjected her to scrutiny that often turns ugly and personal.

Obama called Clark ‘‘fantastic’’ and told her not to let all the ‘‘nonsense’’ get her down. He also acknowledged how difficult it must be to navigate fame at her age.

‘‘Sometimes I think people don’t always realize that I’m 24 years old and trying to navigate a lot of different things, trying to play basketball at the same time,’’ Clark said. ‘‘It was cool to hear that from him.’’

Obama, who said he already had put the court to use in a game of H-O-R-S-E, also reminded Clark not to lose her joy for basketball. She took the message to heart.

‘‘There are moments that are tiring and exhausting, but I still have the same love and joy for the game that I had when I first got here,’’ Clark said.

Copper meets Obama

How did former Sky star Kahleah Copper feel about meeting Obama?

‘‘Oh, my God, it was so cool,’’ Copper said. ‘‘The coolest thing for me is just how personable he is. It’s so genuine. He’s like, ‘You’re having a great season. I’m super-proud of you.’ I’m like, ‘You watched me?’ ’’

Copper, who helped the Sky to the 2021 championship and earned Finals MVP honors, was selected to her sixth All-Star team this season.

‘‘He’s not general,’’ Copper said of Obama. ‘‘He knows your name, knows how your season is going.’’

Copper also said it was meaningful for the South Side to have access to a place as impressive as the Obama Center.

Delle Donne still has it

Retired Sky star Elena Delle Donne hasn’t lost her shooting touch.

Delle Donne and her teammates dominated the new Shooting Stars competition, which paired current and retired WNBA players with elite high school prospects.

Representing Team Washington, Delle Donne won alongside Mystics center Shakira Austin and Jezelle Banks, a player from her former high school.

Delle Donne played for the Sky in 2013-16 and won an MVP with them in 2015.

Fudd wins three-point contest

Wings rookie Azzi Fudd became the first rookie to win the All-Star three-point contest, scoring 30 points in the finals to top Fire veteran Bridget Carleton (19).