Caitlin Clark opens up about draft night disappointment: I was so upset

One of the most anticipated moments in her basketball career

Caitlin Clark‘s draft night may have marked the start of her professional basketball career, but the Indiana Fever star has revealed it was far from the dream event she had anticipated.

Despite being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, held at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Clark admitted her frustrations about how the evening unfolded.

“I was so upset because after I got drafted, I just got drug out immediately and I didn’t get to see any of the draft,” Clark shared on the “Fresh Talk” podcast with her former Iowa teammates Kate Martin and Gabbie Marshall, along with host Jada Gyamfi.

“I had my phone, but I really couldn’t go on it. It made me so upset. I didn’t even get to see Kate get drafted … but it made me really upset.”

Clark, who became a household name during her historic college career at Iowa, was overwhelmed by the obligations that followed her selection. Instead of celebrating with her family and friends, she was whisked away for interviews and photo sessions.

“Then we went and had fun but … I didn’t even take pictures with you guys, my family, [boyfriend] Connor McCaffery – no one,” she added, expressing disappointment at missing out on the personal moments that make such milestones memorable.

Clark‘s draft night was particularly significant given her accomplishments leading up to it.

She had just completed a record-breaking college career, becoming the NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer for men’s and women’s basketball and guiding Iowa to back-to-back Final Four appearances in 2023 and 2024.

By the time she arrived in Brooklyn, her name was already synonymous with excellence in the sport.

Kate Martin, drafted by the Las Vegas Aces at No. 18, had a much calmer experience, watching the draft unfold from the audience before her name was called.

Unfortunately, Clark‘s role as the first pick left little room for her to enjoy the ceremony in the same way.

Despite the chaos, Clark and her loved ones eventually celebrated at The Fleur Room, a high-end lounge offering panoramic views of Manhattan. Photos from the night showed the group enjoying a well-deserved moment of relaxation after a whirlwind day.

A Rookie Year to Remember

Although draft night didn’t go as planned, Clark wasted no time proving her worth in the WNBA. Her rookie season was nothing short of spectacular, with record-breaking performances, a WNBA All-Star selection, and the 2024 Rookie of the Year award.

Despite these accolades, Clark remains undecided about participating in the newly established Unrivaled League, a 3-on-3 basketball competition founded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier.

Reports suggest the league has offered Clark over $1 million and additional revenue-sharing opportunities to join during the WNBA offseason.

While her draft night was a learning experience, Clark‘s impressive first season has solidified her place among the sport’s elite.

With her focus now on the future, fans eagerly await her next moves both on and off the court. For Clark, the best moments of her burgeoning career are undoubtedly still ahead.