Caitlin Clark Calls Being Drafted by Fever ‘A Dream Come True,’ Praises Roster

Doric SamApril 17, 2024

Catalina Fragoso/NBAE via Getty Images

After being drafted No. 1 overall by the Indiana Fever this week, Caitlin Clark expressed her excitement to start her professional career.

“I’m super happy to be here,” Clark told reporters Wednesday. “Thank you to the Fever, the Pacers. This is a dream come true.”

Clark also praised the organization, saying she couldn’t “think of a better place for myself to start my career. A place that loves basketball, supports women’s basketball, and an organization that really does things the right way, has championship pedigree.”

Pat McAfee @PatMcAfeeShow”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

Upon arriving in Indiana, Clark also received a welcome from Indiana Pacers star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, and they posed for a picture together:

Bleacher Report @BleacherReportHali pulled up to welcome Caitlin Clark to Indy 🤝🔥

(via @IndianaFever, @Pacers) pic.twitter.com/xQDBS8fCg5

Haliburton was among the many who celebrated Clark’s impending arrival to the Fever after the pick was made Monday night. While it was a foregone conclusion that she’d be the No. 1 overall pick following her legendary career at Iowa, it was still an exciting moment when it became official.

Clark is Indiana’s second straight No. 1 pick, as the team chose former South Carolina star Aliyah Boston last year. Boston went on to become an All-Star in her first season as well as the 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year.

Clark praised Boston and the roster at large when speaking to reporters at her introductory press conference:

“There’s just so much talent on this roster,” Clark said. “Obviously Aliyah has been one of my teammates before with USA Basketball and I know first-hand how great she is. Erica Wheeler is somebody that’s been having my back and we’re not even teammates yet. A vet, somebody that’s been in the league for a really long time. As a point guard you need someone to lean on, that’s going to have your back, to ask questions.”

It’s clear that the future is bright in Indiana. In addition to Clark coming into the fold, Haliburton helped lead the Pacers to their first playoff appearance since 2020 after leading the league in assists this season. Indiana will face the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round.