Indiana Fever select Iowa star Caitlin Clark No. 1 overall in the WNBA draft

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After a successful collegiate career, Caitlin Clark is officially a pro.

In front of a sellout crowd at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Clark’s name was called, and the new face of the WNBA walked up to receive her New Jersey, wearing a $17k Prada outfit.

Clark, the former face of women’s college basketball, was selected No. 1 overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA draft on Monday night.

The two-time national player of the year became the first Iowa Hawkeyes player, men’s or women’s, to ever receive the honor of being the top draft pick.

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"When you're just sitting at a table waiting for your name to be called, that really allows the emotions to feed you," Clark said. "You're with your family. Obviously, playing a basketball game, I'm not out there with my family. So sharing that moment with them and enjoying it, and people that have really had my back and believed in me more than anyone, is super special."

Clark set multiple records this past season, leading the Hawkeyes to a second straight national championship game.

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During her time in the NCAA, Clark became college basketball’s all-time men’s and women’s scoring leader, passed Chamique Holdsclaw to set the record for most career NCAA tournament points, and made more 3-pointers in a single season than any men’s or women’s Division I player.

Clark finished her college career averaging 31.6 points and 8.9 assists per game, both of which led the country.

The 22-year-old changed the landscape of women’s basketball by bringing attention to the sport. During their loss to the Gamecocks in the national championship game, a record 18.7 million viewers tuned in to the game.

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With Clark off to the WNBA, the Fever will have 36 of their 40 regular-season games on national television this coming summer. Networks will continue to draw huge numbers due to Clark’s impact on the sport.

Clark joins a Fever organization that hasn’t had a winning record since 2015, and they haven’t made the playoffs since 2016. Only time will tell how her transition from college to the pros will go. Clark is already one of the most popular players in the league and will continue to grow women’s hoops across the globe.