Caitlin Clark, the superstar of women's college basketball, has officially joined the ranks of the pros. The Indiana Fever snagged her as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, creating a buzz among the 1,000 fans at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Tickets for the event sold out in a flash, just 15 minutes after going on sale a few months ago.
"I got a little anxious there before the pick," Clark shared with ESPN's Holly Rowe. "I dreamed of this moment since I was in second grade, and it's taken a lot of hard work, a lot of ups and downs, but more than anything, just trying to soak it in."
Los Angeles followed up by selecting Stanford's Cameron Brink at No. 2. Brink, a powerhouse on both ends of the court, was the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year and adds a dynamic presence to the Sparks, who needed to fill the gap left by Nneka Ogwumike.
Chicago used the third pick to secure South Carolina's Kamilla Cardoso, the 2024 Final Four Most Outstanding Player, fresh off a national championship win. Meanwhile, Tennessee's Rickea Jackson went to the Sparks at No. 4, bringing her SEC prowess to the team.
The excitement continued as Ohio State's Jacy Sheldon joined the Dallas Wings at fifth, and the Washington Mystics scooped up UConn's Aaliyah Edwards at sixth. LSU's Angel Reese, a force to be reckoned with, landed with the Sky after a trade.
The draft saw its fair share of international talent too, with players like Carla Leite from France and Nyadiew Puoch from Australia making their mark in the first round.
Clark's entry into the WNBA marks a new era for the Indiana Fever, who haven't made the playoffs since Tamika Catchings' retirement in 2016. Teaming up with Aliyah Boston, last year's No. 1 pick, Clark hopes to turn the tide for the Fever. With the potential to form a formidable trio with NaLyssa Smith, Clark's arrival has fans hopeful for a bright future.
"I earned it, that's why I'm so proud of it," Clark expressed.
With veterans like Kelsey Mitchell and Erica Wheeler in the backcourt, Clark is poised to make a splash in the league and take the Fever to new heights.
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