Indiana Fever rookie guard Caitlin Clark revealed on Friday that her decision to skip the WNBA’s All-Star weekend three-point contest was based on one simple reason—rest.

“Honestly, I think just rest. I’ve been playing basketball for a year straight,” Clark explained. “It’s not easy to just show up and shoot off of a rack. It’s not something I’ve ever done before or had a lot of time to practice. My focus has been on helping my team win games.”

The NCAA’s all-time leading scorer mentioned that she believes she’ll have “plenty of opportunities” to participate in the event in the future, but for now, she needs a break.

“I think the biggest thing for me is just needing a break and taking some time to enjoy what I want to do,” Clark said. “Being in my position can be tough, but I think it’s healthiest for myself.”

While many of her Fever teammates had the offseason to prepare for the 2024 campaign, the 22-year-old Clark had just over five weeks to get ready for her professional debut on May 14 against the Connecticut Sun, after her Iowa Hawkeyes fell to the South Carolina Gamecocks in the NCAA national title game on April 7.

It’s been a mixed first half for the two-time AP Player of the Year. She leads the WNBA in assists per game (8.2) and is third in three-point field goals (71), but also has the most turnovers (145) in the league. Clark has made 32.7 percent of her attempts from deep and ended the pre-All-Star slate with a historic performance, recording a WNBA-record 19 assists on Wednesday.

Indiana started the season 3-10 but has since improved, going 8-5. The Fever and the rest of the league will take a one-month hiatus following All-Star weekend, with some players traveling to Paris to compete in the Summer Olympics.

Although she won’t be competing in the three-point contest on Friday night, Clark will still take part in Saturday’s All-Star Game as a member of “Team WNBA.”