Caitlin Clark’s arrival in the WNBA marked the beginning of a new era. The former Iowa Hawkeye joined the Indiana Fever, bringing with her a massive fan base that has transformed not only the team but the league itself. Yet Clark knows things could have looked very different-had she landed with that other team.
Her journey to the WNBA is well documented. After back-to-back losses in the NCAA National Finals, Clark emerged as the top prospect in the 2024 draft. Her talent, charisma, and record-shattering collegiate career made her the most coveted player in the class of 2024.
With her future hanging in the balance-and teams like Indiana, the Phoenix Mercury, the Los Angeles Sparks, and the Seattle Storm in the draft lottery-Clark had a clear preference. One city, despite its market size and glitz, was a definite no.
“I’m a Midwest gal”
In an interview with Sue Bird nearly 18 months before the draft, Clark shared her hopes and fears.
“I didn’t want to go to LA, but I wanted Indiana to get the first pick. I think Indiana was a good place for me to start my professional career,” she said.
Clark emphasized her Midwestern roots:
“I’m a Midwest gal.”
Even then, she believed the Fever had the right foundation to support her growth.
“I think the franchise was in a position to have the kind of core players that could help make me successful, too.”
Before ever donning the Fever jersey, Clark was already drawn to the team’s roster:
“We had AB [Aliyah Boston], Kels [Kelsey Mitchell] was here, Lex [Lexie Hull] was here-and I think that was really attractive,” said the 2024 Rookie of the Year.
2025: A year of setbacks
After a stellar rookie season, 2025 has been challenging for Clark. Injuries to her quadriceps and right groin have sidelined her for nearly half the season, with no clear timeline for her return.
“I’ve never been through anything like this, and I think that’s probably why it’s been so hard-because I’ve never really dealt with injury,” she told Bird.
Despite the setbacks, the Fever star remains a defining figure in the league, continuing to reshape the WNBA narrative-even from the sidelines.
Read the full article here
