WNBA Draft Preview: Caitlin Clark a lock to go at #1 to the Indiana Fever

When Caitlin Clark declared her intention to forgo her final year of eligibility and enter the 2024 WNBA Draft, three certainties in life emerged: death, taxes and Caitlin being the #1 pick for the Indiana Fever.

There has been so little discussion about the pick that the Fever have been, not so subtly, advertising her arrival in Indy for a while now. How could they not? All-time leading scorer, all-time leader in made three-pointers and a two-time national player of the year. Most importantly, she has brought eyes to the television and fans to seats that were not previously there. It’s a slam dunk pick for the Fever.

2024 WNBA Draft – How To Watch

When: Monday, April 15th

Time: 6:30pm CT

TV: ESPN and ESPN+

When the pick is officially announced on Monday night, Caitlin Clark will become just the third Iowa Women’s Basketball player to get picked in the first round of the draft. Toni Foster (1997 – #8), and Sam Logic (2015 – #10) are the other two Hawkeyes to get selected in the first round. Clark will be the third Iowa point guard since 2015 to get drafted, while she will be the ninth player under Lisa Bluder to go in the draft.

“It is impossible to fully express my gratitude to everyone who has supported me during my time at Iowa – my teammates, who made the last four years the best; my coaches, trainers, and staff who always let me be me; Hawkeye fans who filled Carver every night; and everyone who came out to support us across the country, especially the young kids,” said Clark in her official announcement back on February 29th.

This past season for the Hawkeyes, Caitlin averaged 31.6 points, 7.4 rebounds and 8.9 assists per game. She finishes her collegiate career with 3,951 total points, 990 rebounds, 1,144 assists, 210 steals and 548 made three-pointers.

What the Mock Drafts are saying…

ESPN – #1 (Indiana Fever) – “The Fever have been through tough times the past several years but now have one of the most coveted draft picks in WNBA history. Clark is finishing her Iowa career in the Final Four and will bring a lot of attention to Indiana. It’s not just that she is the best player in the draft, she’s also the best at the position — point guard — that will most help the Fever. Clark will join young post players Aliyah Boston (No. 1 in 2023) and NaLyssa Smith (No. 2 in 2022) in Indiana. It’s going to be fun again to be a Fever fan.”

CBS – #1 (Indiana Fever) – “As expected, the Hawkeyes star was named Naismith Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, becoming the 10th woman to earn that honor multiple times. She was not able to add a national championship to her extensive resume, which may affect her case to be college basketball’s GOAT, but that will not have any bearing on her professional prospects. Clark will be the No. 1 overall pick.”

Sporting News – #1 (Indiana Fever) – “It’s no secret that Clark’s name will be the first called in the 2024 WNBA Draft. Iowa’s superstar senior has generational shooting and passing skills that will immediately translate to the next level, making her a wonderful pairing alongside Aliyah Boston, last year’s No. 1 overall pick and WNBA Rookie of the Year. With Clark and Boston leading the charge, the Fever will look to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2016.”

NBA Draft Room – #1 (Indiana Fever) – “Clark is an absolute superstar; an elite shot-maker who is nearly impossible to guard. She’s the clear #1 prospect in the 2024 WNBA draft class and one of the best prospects of the past decade. She’s well on her way to being one of the faces of women’s basketball, an icon.”

Will another Hawkeye hear her name called during the WNBA Draft?

Prior to the season, Kate Martin wasn’t on anyone’s draft radar. She knew that her role as a scorer was likely going to increase with the loss of McKenna Warnock and Monika Czinano. It increased in a way that has allowed her to be in the conversation as a potential late round pick tomorrow night.

Martin averaged career-highs for both points (13.1) and rebounds (6.8) per game, while she scored in double figures in 30 of 39 games. She had scored in double figures in just 30 of her previous 124 games. On top of showing her abilities as a scorer and a rebounder, Coach Lisa Bluder and Caitlin Clark each called Kate the best leader they have ever been around.

A mock draft by Beyond Women’s Sports has Martin going in the third round, as the 27th overall pick to the Indiana Fever. That would certainly be a fun reunion with Caitlin. However, if she doesn’t go to the Fever, there is no reason why a team shouldn’t spend a pick on Kate Martin in the third round.

Iowa Women’s Basketball WNBA Draft History under Lisa Bluder

2023: Monika Czinano (R3, P26) Los Angeles Sparks

2020: Kathleen Doyle (R2, P14) Indiana Fever

2019: Megan Gustafson (R2, P17) Dallas Wings

2015: Sam Logic (R1, P10) Atlanta Dream

2011: Kachine Alexander (R3, P26) Minnesota Lynx

2006: Crystal Smith (R3, P32) Phoenix Mercury

2002: Lindsey Meder (R3, P38) Minnesota Lynx

2001: Cara Consuegra (R4, P56) Utah Starzz