Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese responded uniquely to their WNBA draft picks
Now that the WNBA Draft of 2024 has arrived, two of the most well-known talents on the market have a clear idea of where their careers as professional basketball players will start. The guard Caitlin Clark of the Iowa Hawkeyes was chosen by the Indiana Fever with the first overall pick, as all fans inside the Brooklyn Academy of Music anticipated. She joins the finest group of youthful talent in the 12-team WNBA.
The moment @caitlinclark heard her name called as the #1 overall pick, taking her talents to the @indianafever ☝️
2024 #WNBADraft presented by @statefarm pic.twitter.com/u4xVPEw7uC
— WNBA (@WNBA) April 15, 2024
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Few others were as sure where LSU power forward Angel Reese would end up, but the former Tiger standout signed with the Chicago Sky at seventh overall, meaning that her NCAA rivalry with Clark will carry over to the next level.
The dream of Clark is realized.
Clark was selected first overall in the WNBA Draft as a result of his amazing college career. In addition to becoming the first Iowa player to be selected first overall in draft history, Clark’s selection also signifies the first time in 19 years that a player from the Big Ten Conference has received the top choice.
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With her accomplishments at Iowa, where she broke the NCAA record for points scored in a college career and led the Hawkeyes to back-to-back national championship games in 2023 and 2024, the fiery Clark was warmly praised. As Clark pursued history this season, record numbers of viewers tuned in to see her light up rival defenses, now, her professional career will start as a member of the Fever.
Caitlin Clark tells Holly Rowe after being picked first in the WNBA draft: "Just enjoying the moment. I dreamed of this moment since I was in second grade. It's taken a lot of hard work. … I went to Iowa with the goal of taking us to the Final Four – we did it twice." #Hawkeyes
— Ryan M. Jaster (@Hawkologist) April 15, 2024
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Since Indianapolis is about 500 miles from Clark’s hometown of Des Moines, Iowa, she will start her WNBA career within the boundaries of the Big Ten. She becomes a part of the developing youthful core of the Fever, which also features forward NaLyssa Smith, guard Kelsey Mitchell, and last year’s #1 overall choice, Aliyah Boston. As the WNBA looks to immediately capitalize on Clark’s college prominence, all but four of Indiana’s regular-season games will be televised nationally.
Reese is prepared for the chance.
By the time the “Bayou Barbie” showed up in Brooklyn for the draft, few knew what to anticipate. Reese was projected by some to be in the top three; by others, she might go in the 8–10 area. But in the end, the 6’3″ forward with a championship resume and a relentless mentality was chosen by the Chicago Sky to take a chance.
The eruption from Fever players and fans as the Caitlin Clark pick is made. @TheNextHoops: pic.twitter.com/3rAoLTHYkF
— Tony East (@TonyREast) April 15, 2024
After transferring to LSU for her final two years of college, Reese finished her NCAA career at Maryland. Reese rose to prominence in collegiate basketball as a result of Kim Mulkey, the coach of the Tigers. While serving as a team captain this season, Reese missed several games due to suspension, but she still averaged over 23 points and 15 rebounds per game as LSU defeated Clark’s Hawkeyes to win the national championship in 2023. The Tigers went on to make it to the Elite Eight after winning the championship.
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It’s Reese’s offensive style that has people worried. She finished her senior year with a meagre 47 percent field goal percentage, and her jump shot mechanics are still being criticized. However, if she can perfect her jump shot, her defensive impact—particularly her rebounding—will escalate, and Chicago Sky will be her new home if she can accomplish this.
