Caitlin Clark reflected on a surprisingly emotional moment following her selection as the first overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, admitting she was “so upset” right after hearing the news.
In a Nov. 5 appearance on the “Fresh Tawk” podcast — a special reunion with her former Iowa Hawkeyes teammates Kate Martin and Gabbie Marshall — Clark, now with the Indiana Fever, shared how the excitement of the draft quickly gave way to frustration. Despite the monumental achievement of being drafted first, Clark found herself immediately pulled from the stage and away from the event, which left her feeling disconnected.
“I just got drug out immediately and didn’t get to see any of the draft,” Clark said. She added that, even though she had her phone with her, she couldn’t fully engage with the moment. “It made me so upset. I didn’t even get to see Kate get drafted.”
The moment was supposed to be a celebration, not just of her career milestone but also of her teammates’ achievements. Instead, Clark was left feeling disappointed that she couldn’t experience the full excitement of the night.
Now in her first offseason after a standout rookie season, Clark’s debut year in the WNBA was nothing short of remarkable. She was named both the league’s and the Associated Press’s 2024 Rookie of the Year, averaging 19.2 points, 8.4 assists (the highest in the league), 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. Her impact on the court was immediate, making her one of the most exciting players to watch in the league.
