Caitlin Clark obtained a hero’s welcome to Gainbridge Coliseum on Wednesday morning as the primary general decide within the WNBA draft stepped into her new house enviornment to a flock of followers and a packed opening information convention.
“I am tremendous joyful to be right here. Thanks to the Fever, the Pacers. This can be a dream come true,” stated Clark, a two-time Nationwide Participant of the 12 months at Iowa and the all-time main scorer in Division I basketball historical past.
Indianapolis actually painted the city to usher Clark right into a stadium adorned with a 20-foot banner, billboards and video shows of her in an already sold-out No. 22 Fever jersey. Greater than 6,000 individuals attended a draft social gathering on Monday to have a good time her arrival.
Clark delivered a gap assertion and paused mid-sentence to determine Tamika Catchings, led the Fever to a WNBA championship in 2012, in an viewers that included Clark’s dad and mom.
“I can not consider a greater place for myself to begin my profession. A spot that loves basketball, helps girls’s basketball, and a company that actually does issues the fitting means, has championship pedigree,” Clark stated.
Indiana had a 13-27 document in 2023 to safe its second consecutive No. 1 decide within the draft. The Fever final had a profitable season in 2015.
Clark follows 2023 No. 1 decide Aliyah Boston to Indianapolis and stated staying within the Midwest — she’s about 5 hours from the Iowa campus — felt like a scripted finish to her storied school profession.
“There’s simply a lot expertise on this roster. Clearly Aliyah has been certainly one of my teammates earlier than with USA Basketball and I do know first-hand how nice she is. Erica Wheeler is someone that is been having my again and we’re not even teammates but. A vet, someone that is been within the league for a extremely very long time. As a degree guard you want somebody to lean on, that is going to have your again, to ask questions.”
Fever GM Lin Dunn known as drafting Clark “a robust second” and thanked Clark’s dad and mom and Iowa coach Lisa Bluder for his or her work along with her, tipping her cap to the wildly well-liked Clark for serving to transfer the sport of basketball ahead.
“At instances it does not really feel actual. I really feel like I am sort of caught in a dream at instances,” stated Clark, a 22-year-old self-described perfectionist. “I feel the most important factor I attempt to keep in mind is how grateful I’m to have this chance. There’s so many individuals that may kill to be in my footwear. … I simply attempt to remind myself of how grateful I’m. I am fortunate to have these moments.”