Current:Home > ScamsCaitlin Clark is No. 1 pick in WNBA draft, going to the Indiana Fever, as expected -文件: temp/data/webname/news/nam2.txt
Caitlin Clark is No. 1 pick in WNBA draft, going to the Indiana Fever, as expected
View
Date:2025-04-17 23:16:19
Caitlin Clark admitted she was a bit nervous before being chosen with the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft by the Indiana Fever, even though it was no surprise.
"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 former Iowa star became a household name among basketball fans during her record-breaking college career, and she will now try and help revive the Indiana franchise along with last season's No. 1 pick, Aliyah Boston.
"The organization has one of the best post players in the entire world. My point guard eyes light up with that," she said.
The Fever taking Clark had been a foregone conclusion since she announced on Feb. 29 she would turn pro. Nearly 17,000 tickets were claimed to watch the draft at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, home to the Fever and the NBA's Indiana Pacers.
Clark has helped bring millions of fans to the women's game with her signature shots from the midcourt logo and passing ability. The NCAA's all-time scoring leader was a big reason why a record 18.9 million viewers tuned in to the national championship game, which Iowa lost to unbeaten South Carolina. The Hawkeyes were also the national runners-up to LSU a year earlier.
Clark, who wore a white Prada jacket and skirt, hugged her parents and brothers and Iowa coach Lisa Bluder after she was drafted.
"Clark is one of the best offensive prospects to ever enter the league," writes CBSSports.com's Jack Maloney. "Her 3-point range and off-the-dribble shooting are unlike anything the WNBA has seen, and she's a dynamite playmaker. Off the court, she is a marketing dream and will raise the profile of the Fever and the league as a whole."
The draft was held at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in front of 1,000 fans, who bought all the tickets within 15 minutes of them going on sale a few months ago.
Los Angeles chose Stanford's Cameron Brink at No. 2. She'll get to stay in California and will give the Sparks a two-way player. The prolific scorer was also the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year. The Sparks needed to replace franchise player Nneka Ogwumike, who left for Seattle in free agency.
"When they called my name, a huge wave of emotions hit me," Brink said. "I saw my mom tearing up and my dad and it hit home."
A prolific scorer, Brink was also the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year. The Sparks needed to replace franchise player Nneka Ogwumike, who left for Seattle in free agency. Brink's godmother, Sonya Curry, is the mother of Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry.
"I FaceTimed Steph five minutes before the show started and he said have fun with it," Brink said. "He can share so much great advice since he's been through this. Make stuff like this fun as it can be stressed."
Chicago had the third pick and chose South Carolina's Kamilla Cardoso before the Sparks were on the clock again and selected Tennessee's Rickea Jackson.
Cardoso had a busy week, helping the Gamecocks win the national championship to complete an undefeated season. She took part in the team's championship parade on Sunday before traveling to New York.
Dallas took Ohio State guard Jacy Sheldon with the fifth pick. Washington drafted Aaliyah Edwards of UConn sixth before Chicago took LSU's Angel Reese at No. 7, pairing her with Cardoso.
"She's a great player and I'm a great player. Nobody's going to get no rebounds on us," the 6-foot-7 Cardoso said, laughing.
Minnesota, which had swapped picks with Chicago, drafted Alissa Pili of Utah eighth.
Complete coverage of the WNBA draft on CBSSports.com.
- In:
- Sports
- WNBA
- Indiana
- Caitlin Clark
veryGood! (819)
Related
- In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
- During arraignment, Capitol riot defendant defiantly predicts Trump will win election and shutter Jan. 6 criminal cases
- 9 more people killed in attacks on political candidates as violence escalates days before elections in Mexico
- Tuesday’s primaries include presidential races and the prosecutor in Trump’s Georgia election case
- Residents worried after ceiling cracks appear following reroofing works at Jalan Tenaga HDB blocks
- U.S. troops will complete their withdrawal from Niger by mid-September, the Pentagon says
- Pedigree dog food recall affects hundreds of bags in 4 states. See if you're among them.
- Palace Shares Update on Kate Middleton's Return to Work After Cancer Diagnosis
- Shilo Sanders' bankruptcy case reaches 'impasse' over NIL information for CU star
- 14-year-old among four people killed in multi-vehicle crash on I-75 in Georgia, police say
Ranking
- IOC's decision to separate speed climbing from other disciplines paying off
- At five hour hearing, no one is happy with Texas Medical Board’s proposed abortion guidance
- Oilers beat Brock Boeser-less Canucks in Game 7 to reach Western Conference final
- Chad Michael Murray Makes Rare Comment About Marriage to Ex Sophia Bush
- Carolinas bracing for second landfall from Tropical Storm Debby: Live updates
- Below Deck's Capt. Kerry Slams Bosun Ben's Blatant Disrespect During Explosive Confrontation
- Review: Stephen King knows 'You Like It Darker' and obliges with sensational new tales
- Matthew Perry’s Death Still Being Investigated By Authorities Over Ketamine Source
Recommendation
From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
Wegovy, Saxenda study reveals surprising trend for weight loss drugs
‘Justice demands’ new trial for death row inmate, Alabama district attorney says
Michael Strahan Shares Sweet Video of Daughter Isabella Amid Her Cancer Battle
FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
Heavy equipment, snow shovels used to clean up hail piled knee-deep in small Colorado city
Trump-backed legislator, county sheriff face off for McCarthy’s vacant US House seat in California
Georgia’s auto port has its busiest month ever after taking 9,000 imports diverted from Baltimore