Caitlin Clark Drafted #1 by Indiana Fever, Angel Reese Drafted #7 by Chicago Sky During WNBA Draft
In what is perhaps the most anticipated WNBA Draft in history, Caitlin Clark was drafted at #1 as many had expected. However, her rival, Angel Reese, was drafted at #7, with Clark expectedly going to the Indiana Fever while Reese went to the Chicago Sky.
Clark has changed the perspective on women's sports in general, showing that there is a market for it and that it can become popular. As Latin Post previously reported, it was thanks to her that for the first time, the NCAA Women's Basketball Final had higher ratings than the NCAA Men's Basketball Final.
ESPN's Charlie Creme noted that Clark is expected to "change the perception and trajectory of the Fever franchise. The pairing of Clark's shooting range and passing with the power of Aliyah Boston make them one of the most intriguing inside-outside duos in the league."
It should also be noted that thanks to her becoming so popular at the collegiate level, which is unprecedented for women's basketball, Caitlin Clark is also expected to become "the most scrutinized rookie in WNBA history."
Meanwhile, the woman pegged to be her top rival in the NCAA, Angel Reese of LSU, is seen to improve the rebounding for the Chicago Sky. The team traded up a pick because they specifically wanted her and her rebounding skills are seen to dramatically improve the team down low.
Chicago also took South Carolina center Kamilla Cardoso, whose skills below the rim dominated the Caitlin Clark-led Iowa at the NCAA Women's Final earlier this month, it was also picked by the Chicago Sky which now seems to be banking on its young frontline to bolster it into the future, with Reese at power forward and Cardoso at Center.
How Much Will Caitlin Clark Make in the WNBA After Being Drafted at #1?
Despite being hyped as the most exciting prospect in the WNBA, Caitlin Clark is not expected to make as much as her male counterparts in the NBA. According to NBC Sports, the Iowa star is expected to make a salary worth $76,535 as the WNBA #1 draft pick and it has certainly raised many eyebrows.
Compared to the NBA contracts that are worth millions of dollars, the most any player will make in the WNBA this season is $241,984, and that is for its top stars. On average, WNBA players are expected to only make around $150,000 next season and this is why so many of them play overseas for a second team during the offseason.
There is a bright side for Clark though, as her fame does attract a lot of sponsorships and she is expected to make more money from these sponsorships.
Other Top Picks for the WNBA Draft
As for the other WNBA Draft picks, the Los Angeles Sparks chose Stanford's Cameron Brink as the #2 draft, as well as Tennessee small forward Rickea Jackson for the #4 pick. Meanwhile, the Dallas Wings picked Ohio State shooting guard Jacy Sheldon as the #5 pick.
UConn standout Aaliyah Edwards went to the Washington Mystics at the #6 while Utah's Alissa Pili went to the Minnesota Lynx at #8. French star Carla Leite went to the Dallas Wings as the 9th pick while fellow French star Leïla Lacan was the 10th pick by the Connecticut Sun.
READ MORE: NCAA Basketball Final: South Carolina Remains Undefeated in Championship Win Vs. Caitlin Clark, Iowa
This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Rick Martin
WATCH: CAITLIN CLARK SELECTED NO. 1 OVERALL BY THE INDIANA FEVER | WNBA Draft - ESPN
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