Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever rookie, said Bailey Lux is constantly smiling. During the Aces’ practice Monday at T-Mobile Arena, the 14-year-old’s relaxed countenance supported Clark’s claim. Lux smiled when Aces rookie guard Kate Martin stopped over to say hi. Lux’s big grin could not be concealed by the phone she held up to record the Aces’ raucous participation in their annual half-court shot contest, booing at both made and missed shots.
“Thank you for coming through! “They’re not always so serious,” Aces coach Becky Hammon joked with Lux. Of course, Lux smiled in answer. Multiple Aces players would soon visit Lux’s courtside table to sign a gifted official WNBA basketball and inquire about her arduous trek to Las Vegas from Carroll, Iowa. Lux came just in time to see her two favorite Iowa Hawkeyes alumni play at T-Mobile Arena on Tuesday, when the Aces met the Indiana Fever for the second time this season. The Make-A-Wish Foundation made the trip possible, and it was nothing short of miraculous.
MARTIN LENDS SUPPORT
Lux has malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST), a rare and aggressive malignancy that first appeared in her right arm. Her trip to Las Vegas was hastened due to recent complications with her health. Lux would have had a difficult time traveling to a major airport. Navigating a crowded commercial jet in her wheelchair would also have been difficult. Make-A-Wish alleviated all of Lux’s anxieties by booking a private plane for her, her three older brothers, and her father, Kraig Lux. Bailey was set to return to Iowa on Thursday, and Kraig feels a certain Aces player played a hand in the accommodations.
“Kate (Martin) had been reaching out,” Kraig explained. “I believe she was involved in the background. She contacted me on Friday and said she wanted to fly us to the game. I’m not sure how much she had to deal with, and I know it was difficult to complete this so quickly… but this is uplifting.” Bailey was diagnosed with cancer in September 2022. The lifelong Iowa sports fan met Clark and Martin during a hospital visit shortly after, and they’ve stayed in touch with Bailey and her family ever since.
The teenager is active on social media. She makes fan videos for Clark and Martin on TikTok and exchanges messages with them on Instagram. “I get to tell folks, ‘Oh, yeah, I spoke with Kate. “Me and her are pretty good friends,” Bailey said Monday, adding that their chats range from basketball to updates on her health.
‘NO DIFFERENT THAN ANY OTHER KID’
Martin and Clark have seen both the highs and lows of Bailey’s battle. She lost her mother, Renee Lux, to ovarian cancer in January. A month later, Bailey would ring the bell and briefly feel cancer-free until it returned and spread to her lungs. The former Iowa teammates and best friends surprised Bailey at the Ronald McDonald House in Iowa City. The visit occurred during her first round of radiotherapy in 2022, shortly after the team progressed to the Sweet 16. Clark recalls playing Mario Kart with Bailey during one of their initial interactions.
“She was no different than any other kid, just playing Wii,” Clark explained Monday. “Obviously, I’ve known her for a while, and I’m just trying to be as helpful as possible. I know she’s looking forward to this. Like, this was her wish: to come to the game and witness me and Kate. I believe that puts basketball, and possibly life, in perspective.” Bailey never misses an opportunity to watch Clark or Martin play. “Every time they play, that game is on,” said her 21-year-old sister Brianna Lux.
She has also attended several games at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. It has a capacity of 15,400 people and feels similar to Las Vegas, according to Bailey. Tuesday marked the Aces’ first of two games this season at T-Mobile Arena, which has a basketball capacity of 18,000. “There’s not a bad seat in the house here,” Martin observed. “At Carver, it literally felt like you were a mile away when you were sitting in the top seat.”
Leave a Reply