NEW YORK — Caitlin Clark is coming to Indiana — officially.
The Indiana Fever drafted the University of Iowa superstar with the first pick of Monday night's WNBA draft in Brooklyn, New York.
"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 pick was of little surprise to even the most casual basketball fans. In the six-plus weeks since Clark announced her intent to enter the draft, the Fever didn't mention the all-time Division I scoring leader by name, but ramped up efforts to sell tickets to the upcoming season, with signs that Gainbridge Fieldhouse will be filled to the brim when Clark takes the floor in May.
“Caitlin is one of the most naturally gifted basketball players I have ever seen enter the WNBA from the college level. Her shooting and passing abilities captivated an entire audience of basketball fans, and her ability to make those around her better was even more evident during her collegiate career,” Fever head coach Christie Sides said.
For all of her accolades in college, including back-to-back trips to the national title game, Clark comes to a Fever team that hasn't made the playoffs in seven seasons. She'll team up with Aliyah Boston, the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year and last year's top overall pick, to try to get Indiana back to the postseason.
“The organization has one of the best post players in the entire world. My point guard eyes light up with that,” Clark said.
"We are thrilled to add Caitlin Clark to our roster. This is a great day for the Indiana Fever and all of Pacers Sports & Entertainment. l am confident she will have an immediate impact on our team and the league. Any time you can add two consecutive No. 1 draft selections, it creates enormous interest and visibility," Fever General Manager Lin Dunn said.
Indiana Fever fans echoed the excitement of the team's administration over the draft pick.
"She's such a power house in the talent that she brings. The energy and all of the range that she has," said Blair Milo.
"I'm so excited that she's coming to Indiana. I think it's going to be great for the whole fanbase," added Fever fan Jay Cobbs.
Among the crowd at the draft party were young women - many of them basketball players themselves - who came out to watch a woman they look up to take the next step in her basketball career.
"Caitlin Clark's like always been like a mentor to me, because she's been really good at basketball and I want to be like her when I'm older," said Harper Reinker.
"She's just a great shooter overall. A great player. A team player. I love that about her. She has amazing handles. She's just a great player overall," said Mya Upton.
Joanie Stevens said she appreciated Clark for the spotlight she's put on female athletes.
"Women's college sports, women's sports in general have never gotten the recognition that I feel they deserved and Caitlin is bringing that and she does it with class and dignity," she said.
In the second round, the Fever selected Ohio State guard Celeste Taylor with the 15th pick overall. Taylor averaged 10.1 points, 3.4 assists and 2.5 steals for the Buckeyes last year. She started her career at the University of Texas, then transferred to Duke University, where she played two seasons for the Blue Devils.
She averaged nearly 11 points and five rebounds in her collegiate career.
The Fever rounded out their draft with the selection of Florida guard Leilani Correa. Correa played three seasons at St. John's before transferring to Florida. She averaged 15.2 points and 4.7 rebounds for her career, including scoring nearly 17 points per game last season for the Gators.
Indiana opens their home schedule Thursday, May 16 against the New York Liberty. The Fever will play 20 games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, wrapping up the slate on Sunday, Sept. 15 against the Dallas Wings.
Two-time defending WNBA champion Las Vegas already has announced the Indiana game on July 2 will be played at T-Mobile Arena, which seats about 6,000 more fans than its traditional home venue.
The Phoenix Mercury also have dubbed the June 30 date against the Fever as “The GOAT vs. The Rook,” capitalizing on a seemingly thinly veiled rivalry between Diana Taurasi and Clark.
“Reality is coming,” Taurasi recently said on ESPN. “You look superhuman playing against some 18-year-olds, but you’re going to come play with some grown women that have been playing professional basketball for a long time.”