Caitlin Clark’s draft night regret: The reason she felt upset for Kate Martin

Clark’s historic WNBA debut came with an unexpected disappointment that touched fans and teammates alike

The 2024 WNBA Draft was a milestone for Caitlin Clark-a defining moment that punctuated her incredible journey from Iowa standout to the professional stage. The Indiana Fever claimed her as the No. 1 pick, and as those words echoed across the stage, Clark’s dreams became real. But amid all the excitement, something tugged at her heart-something that would go unnoticed by the roaring fans and flashing cameras.

Clark’s bittersweet feeling wasn’t about herself but rather about a surprising twist that involved one of her closest friends and teammates. When her longtime Iowa Hawkeyes partner, Kate Martin, was selected in the second round by the Las Vegas Aces, Clark’s emotions took a sharp turn. What could possibly dampen the excitement of draft night for the woman who just made history?

During a recent episode of Fresh Tawk with Jada Gyamfi, Clark shared the backstory that only her inner circle knew. Joined by former teammates Martin and Gabbie Marshall, Clark admitted that while she was thrilled to be drafted first, she felt a profound disappointment at missing Martin’s moment. “After my name was called, I got swept off to do interviews. I didn’t even have my phone, and suddenly I heard, ‘Kate just got picked.’ It hit me so hard-I wasn’t there to see it,” she revealed.

Martin, dubbed “The Glue” on Iowa’s roster for her steady play and fierce loyalty, had no expectations of being drafted. In fact, she had attended simply to support Clark. So, when the Aces called her name as the 18th pick, it was a joyful shock that took her-and everyone around her-by surprise. Clark’s absence from this monumental moment seemed to make her triumph feel incomplete.

In her conversation with Gyamfi, Clark spoke about the missed connection. “I didn’t even get to take pictures with my family or friends, and I missed Kate’s moment. She’s one of my closest friends, and I wanted to be there for her like she’s always been there for me. It’s something I’ll always feel a little sad about,”Clark confessed.

A moment missed but never forgotten: Caitlin Clark reflects on the unbreakable bond with Kate Martin

For Martin, her unexpected selection was a validation of years of quiet, relentless effort. As she embraced her assistant coach Jan Jensen and her Hawkeyes teammates, the scene was emotional-but Clark’s absence was felt. “We’d been through so much together. When I got drafted, I wanted Caitlin by my side,”Martin later shared.

Clark’s reflections during the podcast went beyond just missing a memory. “I think the hardest part was not even being able to call my mom, or see the look on Kate’s face when she heard her name. These are moments that mean the world to us,” she said, adding a depth of gratitude for her friendships, even amid the highs of her own draft success.

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