Throngs of fans crowded inside the Brooklyn Academy of Music on Monday night, swarming Caitlin Clark as the former Iowa superstar calmly signed autographs and smiled for selfies ahead of the 2024 WNBA draft. Just minutes later, with the festivities underway, the crowd leapt to its feet when commissioner Cathy Engelbert uttered Clark’s name as the Indiana Fever’s No. 1 pick. The move may have been devoid of suspense, but as is the case with most things involving Clark these days, it still inspired plenty of fanfare. With all eyes on her, the 22-year-old appeared poised, posing for pictures next to a Fever jersey, but a glimmer of emotion crossed her face, too.
“I feel like this was definitely a little bit more emotional for me. I think that's because when you're in the heat of competition, you don't have time to really feel your emotions,” said Clark. “But when you're kind of just sitting at a table waiting for your name to be called, I think that really allows the emotions to feed you, and you're with your family.”
