Caitlin Clark, the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft by the Indiana Fever, expressed her joy and gratitude towards the organization and the state of Indiana for the opportunity to begin her professional basketball career. She lauded the Fever and the Pacers, expressing that joining a franchise with a strong basketball culture and a commitment to women’s basketball felt like a dream come true for her.
Upon her arrival in Indiana, Clark received a warm welcome from local basketball star Tyrese Haliburton, a point guard for the Indiana Pacers, who greeted her and posed for a photo together. This gesture highlighted the camaraderie between the NBA and WNBA players and emphasized the supportive environment for women’s basketball in Indiana.
"I was hoping the Fever got the first pick and obviously I'm a Midwest girl..
I'm super pumped to be here and this is a basketball state" ~ @CaitlinClark22 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/2wLmqUG92O
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 17, 2024
The anticipation for Clark’s arrival had been building since the Fever secured the No. 1 pick in the draft. Despite the expectations surrounding her selection, the moment when it became official was still exciting for fans and players alike. Clark follows in the footsteps of former South Carolina standout Aliyah Boston, who was the Fever’s No. 1 pick the previous year and had an impressive rookie season, earning an All-Star nod and the WNBA Rookie of the Year award.
Hali pulled up to welcome Caitlin Clark to Indy 🤝🔥
(via @IndianaFever, @Pacers) pic.twitter.com/xQDBS8fCg5
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 17, 2024
Clark spoke highly of her new teammates, acknowledging the talent on the Fever roster and expressing her admiration for players like Aliyah Boston and Erica Wheeler. She emphasized the importance of having supportive teammates, especially as a point guard entering the professional league, and conveyed her eagerness to learn and grow alongside them.
With Clark’s addition to the roster and the recent success of players like Haliburton, the future looks promising for basketball in Indiana. Haliburton’s leadership helped the Pacers secure their first playoff appearance in years, further adding to the excitement surrounding the team and the potential for success in the upcoming season.
