NEW YORK (AP) — Caitlin Clark admitted she felt a bit nervous before being selected with the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft by the Indiana Fever, despite it being a widely anticipated move.
“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,” Clark said.
The former Iowa star, known for her record-breaking college career, now aims to help rejuvenate the Indiana franchise alongside last season’s No. 1 pick, Aliyah Boston. Boston and Clark previously played together on a USA Basketball Under-19 team.
“Obviously going to an organization that has, in my eyes, one of the best post players in the entire world,” Clark said. “My point guard eyes just light up at that. And obviously, Aliyah has been one of my teammates before. I’m excited. I can’t wait.”
The Fever’s choice of Clark had been anticipated since she announced her decision to turn professional on February 29. Nearly 17,000 tickets were claimed for the draft at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, home to the Fever and the NBA’s Indiana Pacers.
Clark has captivated millions with her signature midcourt shots and passing ability, helping draw a record 18.9 million viewers to the national championship game where Iowa lost to unbeaten South Carolina. The Hawkeyes were also national runners-up to LSU a year earlier.
“It’s been a whirlwind few weeks,” Clark said. “After the title game, I flew to Los Angeles for the John R. Wooden Award and then came to New York for an appearance on ‘Saturday Night Live.’”
Wearing a white Prada jacket and skirt, Clark hugged her parents, brothers, and Iowa coach Lisa Bluder after being drafted.
The draft took place at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in front of 1,000 fans, who bought all the tickets within 15 minutes of them going on sale.
Los Angeles selected Stanford’s Cameron Brink with the No. 2 pick. Brink, a prolific scorer and the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, will stay in California with the Sparks. Her godmother is Sonya Curry, the mother of Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry.
“When they called my name, a huge wave of emotions hit me,” Brink said. “I saw my mom tearing up and my dad, and it hit home.”
Chicago had the third pick and chose South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso. Cardoso helped the Gamecocks win the national championship before heading to New York.
Dallas selected Ohio State guard Jacy Sheldon with the fifth pick, while Washington drafted Aaliyah Edwards of UConn sixth. Chicago took LSU’s Angel Reese at No. 7.
Minnesota, having swapped picks with Chicago, chose Utah’s Alissa Pili eighth. French guards Carla Leite and Leila Lacan were drafted next by Dallas and Connecticut, respectively. New York picked Ole Miss’ Marquesha Davis at No. 11, and Atlanta rounded out the first round by selecting Australian Nyadiew Puoch.
Two-time defending champion Las Vegas, without a first-round pick, made the most of three second-round choices, selecting Syracuse guard Dyaisha Fair with the 16th pick, Iowa’s Kate Martin with the 18th, and Virginia Tech’s Elizabeth Kitley with the 20th pick. Kitley is recovering from a torn ACL and appeared on crutches.
Charisma Osborne was the last of the 15 players invited to the draft to be selected, going with the first pick of the third round to Phoenix. Despite being picked late, Osborne, who played at UCLA, said she was excited to begin her new chapter.
“I was nervous the entire night. My feelings didn’t change,” she said. “I heard my name and was so excited. I can’t wait to get to work in Phoenix.”
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