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8 months ago
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Caitlin Clark appeared on Good Morning America on Tuesday and admitted she's had the 'weight of the world' on her shoulders in recent weeks after Iowa's NCAA Tournament campaign and the WNBA draft.
The 22-year-old star was, as expected, chosen with the first pick in the WNBA draft by the Indiana Fever in Brooklyn on Monday.
Clark, who wore a white Prada jacket and skirt, arrives in the professional league as the most successful college player in history, which has made her the new star of the sport.
The former Iowa star has become a household name in recent months and she will now try and help revive the Indiana franchise along with last season's No. 1 pick, Aliyah Boston, who previously played with Clark on a USA Basketball Under-19 team.
She continued her media frenzy in New York City this week by stopping by ABC's Good Morning America on Tuesday, admitting she was 'anxious' going into the draft.
Caitlin Clark appeared on Good Morning America on Tuesday hours after the WNBA draft
Clark was taken with the No. 1 pick by the Indiana Fever in Monday night's draft in Brooklyn
Clark said: 'It feels super special. Sitting at the table, kind of knowing where I was going, you still get a bit anxious when the commissioner walks out and says your name.
'It's something I've dreamed of since I was in second grade. Being there at the table with my family was amazing and to share it with them was super special.'
When asked about the pressure on her over the past month as she guided the Iowa Hawkeyes to the NCAA Championship game and leading up to the draft, she added: 'Honestly I feel like it's just something that comes with it.
'I don't feel a lot of it. It's just come with how I've handled myself and gone about my business every single day.
'That's what I try to do the most but at the same time I always remind myself that this is a team sport. I have a lot of people to rely on and then outside of basketball I know I can rely on my friends and family to be there and support me.
'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. Like, how lucky am I?'
Clark, who wore a white Prada jacket and skirt, arrives in the WNBA as the new star of the sport
After Good Morning America played a message from Clark's elementary school teacher, she told basketball hopefuls to just 'dream big'.
She continued: 'I obviously went to the University of Iowa. I'm from Iowa. I just kind of bet on myself and I think that's the biggest thing from a young age. My parents instilled confidence in me, they never told me I couldn't achieve something.
'I always believed in myself … also I worked really hard for it. That's why I am so proud. I earned it. I deserve it. Nothing was ever given to me.
'I got kicked out of PE class quite a bit when I was younger. My parents would come in and have meetings about me being too competitive.
'I think growing up with an older brother, he definitely pushed me and never took it easy on me and I think it was clear from a very young age how competitive I was.
'When he learned to ride his bike, I was like "no, I'm definitely doing that too. Mom and dad, take my training wheels off, let's go".'
The Fever taking Clark had been a foregone conclusion since she announced on February 29 she would turn pro.
Clark revealed her teachers would speak with her parents because she was so competitive
Nearly 17,000 tickets were claimed to watch the draft at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, home to the Fever and the NBA's Indiana Pacers.
Clark has helped bring millions of fans to the women's game with her signature shooting and passing ability.
The NCAA's all-time scoring leader was a big reason why a record 18.9 million viewers tuned in to the national championship game, which Iowa lost to unbeaten South Carolina. The Hawkeyes were also the national runners-up to LSU a year earlier.
It has since been revealed that Clark will earn just $76,535 in her first season in the WNBA as part of her $338,056, three-year rookie contract with the Indiana Fever.
In year one, Clark will bring in $76,535. That goes up to $78,066 in year two before climbing further to $85,873 in year three. If the option for the fourth year is taken, Clark will then earn $97,582.
For comparison, the minimum salary for a single season in the NBA is $1,119,563.
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