After weeks of anticipation, the Indiana Fever has ushered in a new era for women’s basketball in Indianapolis by selecting former Iowa standout Caitlin Clark as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. The draft took place on Monday night at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York.
Path to No. 1 Pick
Indiana’s journey to securing Clark began in December when they won the WNBA Draft lottery for the second consecutive year, granting them the top pick.
Last year, the Fever chose South Carolina forward and former Naismith Women’s College Basketball Player of the Year Aliyah Boston as the No. 1 overall pick. Boston’s outstanding performance earned her the title of WNBA Rookie of the Year.
Despite not having the worst record in the league last season, the Fever held the best odds for this year’s No. 1 overall pick. In the 2023 season, Indiana ranked 10th out of 12 teams with a record of 13-27. However, their 2022 season saw them with the worst record in the league, standing at 5-31.
Clark’s Journey to the Pros
Clark declared for the WNBA Draft in February, foregoing her final year of collegiate eligibility at Iowa. As per WNBA rules, players must complete four years of college basketball before turning professional.
In a press conference following the draft, Clark expressed her excitement about joining the Fever and highlighted the supportive basketball culture in Indiana. A graduate of Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines, Iowa, Clark had an illustrious collegiate career, playing 139 games for the Hawkeyes and steadily improving her performance each season.
Impressive Collegiate Career
During her time at Iowa, Clark made a significant impact, leading the team to the NCAA Tournament four times and even reaching the national championship game twice. She also etched her name in the record books as the all-time leading scorer in college basketball history, across both men’s and women’s divisions, with 3,951 points.
Fever’s Strategic Pick
The selection of Clark marks a pivotal moment for the Fever, making them only the third team in WNBA history to secure the No. 1 overall pick in consecutive drafts. Previously, Seattle and Las Vegas achieved this feat, with both teams going on to win WNBA titles within four years of their back-to-back top picks.
Fever’s Pursuit of Success
The Fever’s decision to draft Clark reflects their aspirations for a brighter future after enduring a challenging period since 2015, without a winning season. With Clark’s arrival and the previous year’s pick of Boston, the team aims to reclaim its former glory.
Looking Ahead
As the Fever prepares for the 2024 season, all eyes are on Clark as she joins the roster. The team’s first preseason game is scheduled for May 3 in Dallas, with the regular season kicking off on May 14 against the Connecticut Sun. Indiana’s home opener will take place on May 16, where they will face the New York Liberty at Gainbridge Fieldhouse at 7 p.m.
The excitement surrounding Clark’s arrival and the Fever’s prospects for the upcoming season highlight the growing support for women’s basketball in Indianapolis.
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