Caitlin Clark has been synonymous with college basketball for the past couple seasons.
She's etched her name into just about every corner of the record books in her four-year career at Iowa. But her run as the queen of college hoops came to an end Sunday with a loss to South Carolina in the championship game.
With Iowa's March Madness run over, Clark's time with the Hawkeyes is done. She announced via social media that she'd be entering the 2024 WNBA Draft following this season.
While Clark won't be lighting up the scoreboard in a Hawkeyes jersey, her fame and popularity won't dwindle upon reaching the pros. She'll take on a new venture, likely remaining as one of the most watched women's basketball players.
MORE: WNBA Draft decision tracker 2024
Looking ahead for Clark, there's a clear idea of where she'll be drafted, how she'll fit on her new team and what her rookie salary will look like. Here's a breakdown of what's next for Clark as she leaves the NCAA for the WNBA.
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Caitlin Clark WNBA Draft projection
Clark is the clear-cut No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft.
The best college player isn't always the top selection, but it will work out that way in the upcoming draft.
MORE: WNBA Mock Draft 2024
The Indiana Fever own the No. 1 pick in April 15's draft and have not been secretive about who they plan to select. Just moments after Clark announced her decision on social media, the Fever posted multiple times about the draft.
No. 1 ⏳
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) February 29, 2024
we're just simply reminding you that there are only 46 days until the 2024 WNBA Draft. pic.twitter.com/23AA4xClug
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) February 29, 2024
hop on board 😈https://t.co/OfM7ZU44lk pic.twitter.com/aRnIGW445M
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) February 29, 2024
It's not a coincidence that the Fever hopped on social media minutes after Clark's decision. It's safe to say that the team is excited.
WNBA Draft order
- Indiana Fever
- Los Angeles Sparks
- Chicago Sky
- Los Angeles Sparks
- Dallas Wings
- Washington Mystics
- Minnesota Lynx
- Chicago Sky
- Dallas Wings
- Connecticut Sun
- New York Liberty
- Atlanta Dream
How Caitlin Clark fits on the Indiana Fever roster
With Clark likely heading to Indiana as the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, she'll join forces with 2023 No. 1 pick Aliyah Boston.
The two top selections will form a guard-forward duo that Indiana hopes will bring a resurgence to its team.
The Fever also have Kelsey Mitchell and NaLyssa Smith, who averaged 18.2 and 15.5 points per game, respectively. Smith also posted 9.2 rebounds per game. Boston averaged 14.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks per game.
Mitchell and Erica Wheeler shared the backcourt in 2023, so Clark will likely slide into that starting five alongside the two guards, Boston and Smith.
Caitlin Clark WNBA salary
Clark is the highest paid women's college basketball player with an NIL valuation of $3.1 million. It also ranks as the second highest among all female amateur athletes and fourth highest overall.
All this money comes from endorsement deals that will carry over with Clark as she enters the WNBA. Iowa isn't permitted to pay her a salary, so she is missing out on that while in college.
The WNBA rookie salaries differ based on where a player is drafted. Clark is projected as the No. 1 pick, and it would be a major shock if she slipped past the Fever. Even so, the top four picks have the same base salary numbers, so she'd have to fall to No. 5 for her contract to differ.
Clark would presumably sign the expected four-year rookie deal with a team option on the final year. Her rookie season salary would be $76,535, and she'd make $338,056 across four seasons, per Spotrac.
When is the WNBA Draft?
The WNBA Draft is set for Monday, April 15, at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Caitlin Clark career stats
- 3.951 total points (most all-time)
- 28.4 points per game
- 8.2 assists per game
- 7.1 rebounds per game
- 1.5 steals per game
- 0.5 blocks per game
- 4.6 turnovers per game
- 46.2% field-goal shooting
- 37.7% 3-point shooting
- 85.8% free throw shooting
