Caitlin Clark looks like a natural as Indiana Fever introduce WNBA’s top draft pick

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — When Caitlin Clark walked to the dais Wednesday in Indianapolis, she looked like a natural.

The former Iowa star and WNBA’s No. 1 overall draft pick eagerly discussed the impact a new television deal could have around the league. Clark outlined her goal of helping the Indiana Fever end a seven-year playoff drought, talked about being “terrified” of her Saturday Night Live appearance, even teased Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton about attending her rival school, Iowa State.

Still, Clark made one thing clear — she feels right at home in Indiana.

“It definitely played a huge role,” she said during her introductory news conference, explaining why she opted to leave school after making two straight national championship game runs. “I was hoping Indiana got the first pick, it made my life a lot better. So I was pretty excited. I was just ready for a new challenge in my life.”

Some of what happened was expected Wednesday.

Clark received a standing ovation from her new teammates and the overflow crowd of team employees while sitting between general manager Lin Dunn, a Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer, and coach Christie Sides, who has four Final Four appearances on her resume. Clark’s parents were seated in the front row, right next to former Fever star and Hall of Famer Tamika Catchings.