WNBA no. 1 pick Caitlin Clark reveals why she was kicked out of PE in third grade
Caitlin Clark, the University of Iowa star who became the face of March Madness and has rewritten the college basketball record books, was selected as the first overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft by the Indiana Fever on Monday night at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
"Sitting at the table, obviously knowing where I'm going, you still get a little bit anxious when the commissioner walks out and says your name," Clark told "Good Morning America" on Tuesday after the big night. "It's a moment I've dreamed of since I was in second grade. To be there with my family at the table and share it with them was super special."
Clark shared a message for young girls, aspiring athletes and other kids who want to achieve their dreams: "The biggest thing is just dream big."
"I kinda just bet on myself and I always believed in myself. That's the biggest thing from a young age my parents always instilled confidence in me, they never told me I couldn't achieve something. But also, I worked really hard for it," Clark explained. "That's what I'm really proud of -- I earned it, I deserve it, nothing was ever given to me. More than anything, I just believe in myself and that's what I'm gonna try to take to the next level."
The Fever, which has already reported an increase in ticket sales and will have 36 of their 40 games broadcast this season, shared a video of the team and fans packed into Gainbridge Fieldhouse celebrating as Clark's name was called by Cathy Engelbert.
"I think it shows excitement in Indiana about not only basketball, but women's basketball. It's a state that really supports basketball so I'm lucky to be going to that organization," Clark told "GMA." She added, "there's a lot of people there in the arena just for a draft watch party -- I can't wait to get there and be playing games. I know it will be a packed crowd."
When it comes to competing at the next level, Clark said "I don't feel nervous. I feel just excited and ready."
"I felt ready for this challenge and that's why I decided to leave college. I could have come back for another year, but for me I feel like my game is ready. I feel from a maturity stand point, like, I'm ready for that," she continued. "There will definitely be some nerves once I get to Indianapolis, at the same time, I feel like I'm definitely prepared for it."
At times you can definitely feel the weight of the world on your shoulders, but more than anything -- it's a game -- How lucky am I?
The former Hawkeyes star guard, best known for her jaw-dropping 3-pointers and record-breaking scoring, recently surprised fans with an appearance on "Saturday Night Live," which she told "GMA" was more stressful than waiting for her name to be called Monday night.
"'SNL and it's not close," she said with a laugh. "I was so nervous. I have never been so nervous to do something in my life. Basketball on a national stage, easy. Before they rolled me onto the set my heart was pounding out of my chest."
When it comes to the possible pressures being hailed the public face for the sport, Clark handles it with grace and a calm demeanor.
"I feel like it's something that comes with it and honestly, I don't feel a lot of it," she said. "It's come with how I have carried myself and how I've gone about my business every single day...I always remind myself, this is a team sport and I have a lot of people to rely on. Outside of basketball, I always rely on my friends and family to be there and support me, those are the biggest things."
Clark continued, "At times you can definitely feel the weight of the world on your shoulders, but more than anything, to me this is fun. It's a game. Just enjoy it. How lucky am I?"
This season alone, the 22-year-old Iowa native broke the NCAA all-time scoring record which was untouched for more than 50 years, and became the NCAA women's basketball career scoring leader.
Clark grew up as the middle child with both a younger and older brother, which she said paired with a dad who played college sports, fueled her competitive nature from a young age.
"I always wanted to be like my older brother," she said. "He definitely pushed me, never took it easy on me. I think my parents could tell from a young age how competitive I was. The day he learned how to ride his bike, I'm like, 'I'm doing that too, mom and dad, take my training wheels off. Let's go.'"
In a surprise video message on "GMA," Clark's third grade teacher Kathleen Drey chimed in among the fanfare to congratulate Clark to say, "Just wanted to let you know how proud of you we all are at St. Francis. Seems like just yesterday you were in my class. My current students and I are now the biggest Fever fans. Go fever!"
Laughing at the "cute" video, Clark said, "She had to deal with me in third grade and I was so competitive. Sorry to her, I feel bad."
"They always had my parents come in and have meetings about me being too competitive in PE class," she recalled.
Earlier this year, Clark announced that she planned to forego her last season of college hoops to enter the WNBA draft.
"I'm just kind of ready for the next chapter and a new challenge in my life," Clark told "Good Morning America" co-anchor Robin Roberts in March. "And what I've been able to do here has been very, very special. But I think the reason I decided to announce it when I did was just to have that closure."
WNA Draft highlights and top picks
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Sparks selected Cameron Brink as the No. 2 pick in the 2024 WNBA draft. Hailing from Beaverton, Oregon, the 22-year-old became the first women's basketball player to sign an NIL deal with New Balance in 2023.
Brink broke the program record for career blocks as a junior and won an NCAA championship with Stanford in 2021 under Tara VanDerveer, the winningest coach of all time who also announced her retirement after this season.
Kamilla Cardoso, hailing from Brazil, was the No. 3 overall draft, selected by Chicago Sky.
The 6-foot-7 star began her basketball career at Syracuse and later transferred to South Carolina, where she won two NCAA national championships. After a masterful performance in the NCAA Tournament, the 22-year-old was awarded the most outstanding player in this year's championship game.
23-year-old Rickea Jackson was selected by Los Angeles Spark at No. 4. Hailing from Detroit, Jackson was a finalist for the Cheryl Miller Award as Division I’s best small forward while playing for Tennessee, according to the WNBA, and is the fourth-leading scorer in Lady Vol’s program history.
Dallas Wings has selected Ohio State guard Jacy Sheldon at No. 5.
Aaliyah Edwards of UConn was the overall 6th pick drafted by the Washington Mystics. The 6-foot-4 forward from Kingston, Ontario, helped UConn to three NCAA Final Four appearances. Edwards was the youngest member of the Canadian women’s national team at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, according to the WNBA.
Angel Reese, the celebrated Baltimore native turned "Bayou Barbie,” was selected at No. 7 by the Chicago Sky. Reese, 21, became a sensation following Louisiana State University’s victory over Iowa in the 2023 NCAA women’s basketball championship.
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An earlier version of this story was first published on April 15, 2024.
