Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark. Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

Caitlin Clark's WNBA decision sets up Indiana Fever with bright future

What seemed like a forgone conclusion became reality on Thursday: Caitlin Clark is headed to the WNBA after the 2023-24 college basketball season. Nowhere is that more welcome news than in Indiana, which holds the No. 1 pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft.

Clark announced her decision on social media, thanking her teammates, coaches, Hawkeyes fans, friends and family in her statement.

"While this season is far from over and we have a lot more goals to achieve, it will be my last at Iowa," wrote Clark.

The women's major college all-time leading scorer was widely expected to declare for the draft, but her extra year of college eligibility due to COVID-19 made remaining at Iowa a possibility.

By moving on to the WNBA, Clark is likely to go No. 1 overall to the Indiana Fever in April's draft.

Last season, the Fever also held the first pick in the draft and selected former South Carolina center Aliyah Boston, who was named unanimous Rookie of the Year and reached the WNBA All-Star Game after a sensational four-year career with the Gamecocks.

Among her numerous accolades at South Carolina, Boston was named Associated Press Player of the Year following the 2021-22 season, an award Clark won last season and is expected to win again this year.

With Boston and Clark, the Fever will have arguably the league's two best young players as they continue their rebuild.

Indiana captured its only league title in 2012 and has one winning season in the 11 years since.

While there's a healthy debate over how quickly Clark's game will translate to the pros, less skepticism surrounds her ability to eventually display the same shooting prowess that has made her an Iowa legend.

When she does, Clark and Boston should make the Fever a force to be reckoned with.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Former NFL player has major warning for Steelers QB Justin Fields: 'You can't fall into this'
Watch: Brad Marchand hurdle Panthers player on Charlie Coyle goal
Pressure mounts on Nuggets as Nikola Jokic wins third MVP Award
Pirates announce date for 2023 No. 1 overall pick's MLB debut
LeBron James rues 'missed opportunities' against Nuggets
Cardinals star gives update on timeline for injury rehab
Police investigating Patrick Beverley incident
J.J. Watt addresses possibly ending retirement to play for Texans
Inter Miami's Lionel Messi could surpass two major MLS records
Reporter weighs in on potential Giants quarterback controversy
Cowboys to release veteran WR
Lakers want Anthony Davis' opinion in search for next head coach
Patriots exec explains why team drafted two QBs in 2024 NFL Draft
Borussia Dortmund legend 'considering' move to MLS
NHL announces Ted Lindsay Award finalists
Mavericks' Luka Doncic lists Thunder swingman among best perimeter defenders in NBA
Cowboys reportedly meeting with recently released veteran WR
Joe Burrow shares 'support' for Bengals who requested trades
Dodgers star latest victim of announcers jinx
Mike Conley discusses what makes Anthony Edwards so special