Caitlin Clark became highest-scoring player in NCAA history and drew record audiences to college basketball, though she could not stop Iowa losing championship final; Clark will join 2023’s No 1 overall pick Aliyah Boston as they attempt to lead Fever to playoffs for first time since 2016
Last Updated: 16/04/24 8:30am
Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, the superstar who shattered collegiate scoring records this past season, has been drafted into the WNBA as the first overall pick by the Indiana Fever on Monday in New York.
Clark helped lead the Iowa Hawkeyes to the national championship final this year and has scored 3,951 points in her career, more than any other college athlete, male or female, in the history of the NCAA.
At Fever, Clark will join last year’s No. 1 overall pick South Carolina Aliyah Boston, as the pair attempt to lead the franchise into the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
“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 organization has one of the best post players in the entire world. My point guard eyes light up with that,” she said.
Clark broke Pete Maravich’s 54-year-old all-time NCAA scoring record this season and became appointment viewing in US households.
Clark has helped bring millions of fans to the women’s game with her signature shots from the midcourt logo and passing ability, with a record 18.9m viewers who tuned in to the national championship game, which Iowa lost to unbeaten South Carolina. The Hawkeyes were also the national runners-up to Louisiana State University Tiger a year earlier.
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The Clark phenomenon
In 2023-24, Clark had the greatest three-point NCAA shooting season of all time for any gender, making 201.
She surpassed the previous joint-record holder and four-time NBA champion, Stephen Curry with 162 in 2007-08.
Clark holds the record for the most three-pointers made in NCAA history, scoring 548 of them in her four years at the University of Iowa.
The 22-year-old has signed lucrative endorsement deals with Nike, Gatorade, State Farm and Panini – all before turning pro.
Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) restrictions were lifted in June 2021, following a Supreme Court decision. This landmark moment allowed student-athletes to earn from commercials and endorsements, where previously they were not allowed to do until they turned professional.
According to NIL database On3, Clark has made $3.1m (£2.4m) from sponsorship deals, ranking as the highest among women’s basketball players and fourth highest amongst student-athletes.
Other picks
The Los Angeles Sparks chose Stanford’s Cameron Brink at No 2 who could add extraordinary shot-blocking ability to a struggling team that ended last year a disappointing 17-23.
Chicago had the third pick and chose 6ft 7in Brazilian center Kamilla Cardoso after averaging 14.4 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game in her final year at South Carolina, before the Sparks were on the clock again and selected Tennessee’s Rickea Jackson.
Dallas took Ohio State guard Jacy Sheldon with the fifth pick.
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