Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Caitlin Clark will soon be back on the basketball court, this time wearing an Indiana Fever jersey inside the Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

The Fever selected Clark, the former Iowa star, with the No. 1 overall pick in Monday’s 2024 WNBA Draft. Hours after she was drafted, Clark sent a personal message to Fever fans courtesy of the franchise’s official X account.

“Hey Fever fans, it’s Caitlin Clark,” she said. “I can’t wait to get to Indianapolis. I know you guys are excited, I am too. Go Fever.”

Clark, who had already earned the title as the best player in the nation, outdid herself in her senior season with the Hawkeyes. In 39 games, she posted averages of 31.6 points, 8.9 assists and 7.4 rebounds per game. Clark shot 45.5% from the field and 37.8% from behind the arc. She led the Hawkeyes to their second consecutive Women’s Basketball National Championship Game.

With a pair of made free throw attempts against Ohio State in the regular season finale last month, Clark passed “Pistol” Pete Maravich’s 3,667 career points scored at LSU to sit atop the Division I college basketball all-time scoring list. Maravich’s mark stood for more than 50 years before Clark broke the record.

Indiana Fever are most bet on team to win WNBA Championship after drafting Caitlin Clark

One year removed from finishing 13-27 and last in the Eastern Conference, the Fever are the most bet on team to win the WNBA championship next season, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Indiana currently has +2000 odds to win their second WNBA title. FanDuel Sportsbook has also taken 10x more bets on Clark (+1200) to win the WNBA MVP than any other player.

Though it’s long been known Clark would be the No. 1 overall selection, she admitted to Holly Rowe of ESPN that she was anxious before the pick was announced.

“I got a little anxious there before the pick. But I think more than anything, just grateful and lucky to have my family here, my friends over there, coaches up here. So, I think just enjoying the moment,” Clark said. “Like you said, like I’ve 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.”

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Celtics finally put away undermanned Cavaliers, advance to conference finals
Avalanche force Game 6 with big third period vs. Stars
MLB announces punishment for Astros' Ronel Blanco over foreign substance
Vikings HC shares big Justin Jefferson contract update
Rafael Nadal switches gears, gives major update on French Open status
DeMar DeRozan confirms desire to return to Bulls
Mavericks defense rises to occasion in Game 5 win vs. Thunder
Steelers to make history in final two months of 2024 season
Packers will play on Thanksgiving with a rare twist in 2024
Steelers veteran reportedly plans to sit out OTAs
Padres pitcher has honest reaction to team getting booed off the field
Athletics place lefty on 15-day IL, transfer infielder to 60-day
Atlanta to be first race of NASCAR's In-Season Tournament
West Point alum made history in his MLB debut with Reds
Heat legend cautions Lakers against hiring JJ Redick
Welcome to the WNBA: Caitlin Clark sets infamous record in debut
Jalen Brunson leads Knicks to blowout win in Game 5 vs. Pacers
Nikola Jokic torches DPOY to lead Nuggets past Wolves in Game 5
Oilers use late heroics to tie Canucks at two games each
Watch: Astros pitcher ejected after foreign substance check