Indiana Fever’s standout rookie, Caitlin Clark, recently revealed her disappointment during her draft night after being picked first in the 2024 WNBA Draft. Appearing on the Nov. 5 episode of the *Fresh Talk* podcast, hosted by her former Iowa teammate Jada Gyamfi, Clark, 22, shared that despite the excitement, the night was marred by an abrupt schedule. She felt disheartened being rushed out after commissioner Cathy Engelbert’s announcement, missing key moments, including seeing friend Kate Martin’s selection.
Clark admitted that having her phone didn’t help as she couldn’t follow updates: “I didn’t get to really see any of the draft. It was upsetting. I didn’t even get to see Kate get drafted.” Reflecting further, she expressed regret about not capturing memories with loved ones, including her boyfriend, Connor McCaffery.
This candid conversation came amid reports of Clark being offered a significant $1 million salary plus equity to join the Unrivaled 3×3 league co-founded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, according to *Sports Business Journal*. Such a move would represent a notable financial boost compared to her rookie WNBA salary, projected at $76,535.
Clark’s impressive rookie season, highlighted by earning the league and Associated Press 2024 Rookie of the Year titles, solidified her status as an emerging basketball icon. She concluded her season with averages of 19.2 points, 8.4 assists (a league best), 5.7 rebounds, and 1.33 steals, showcasing her all-around excellence.
