Caitlin Clark Shines as First Overall Pick in WNBA Draft, Reinforcing Growing Interest in Women’s Basketball

Caitlin Clark, a standout women’s college basketball player, has been drafted first overall in the professional league by the Indiana Fever. The 22-year-old athlete, who previously played for the Iowa Hawkeyes, is widely regarded as one of the greatest collegiate players in history. She holds records for most points scored and three-point shots made in a single season.

During the annual WNBA draft, Clark expressed her excitement about joining the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and emphasized the competitive nature of the league. She acknowledged that it takes hard work to succeed in it and thanked those who supported her journey to get there.

Clark’s journey to the WNBA began after she completed her senior season at Iowa University, where her team reached the women’s NCAA tournament championship before falling to South Carolina Gamecocks in a highly-viewed game. This surge in interest in women’s college basketball has been attributed to Clark and is now known as the Caitlin Clark Effect.

The WNBA draft also saw other notable players drafted including Kamilla Cardoso from South Carolina University, selected third by Chicago Sky and Angele Reese from Louisiana State University, who was drafted seventh by Chicago as well. The growing popularity of women’s basketball has been recognized by fans like Jenny Nyugen who runs a sports bar in Oregon that exclusively shows women’s sports and exclaimed “It’s about damn time” for recognition that women’s game deserves.