INDIANAPOLIS -- In just one month, Caitlin Clark will go from being drafted number one overall to the Indiana Fever to playing in her first professional basketball game as a member of the Fever.
It's not like there is much downtime in between. So far, Clark has been introduced to Indy, revved up the crowd at the first Pacers home playoff game, signed an ultrasound and started practicing with her new team.
On Wednesday, Clark had her first picture day as a pro and answered questions from reporters at the Fever media day about the whirlwind her life has been.
”I think it just shows the excitement in this city for women's basketball and what I'm, hopefully, able to bring to this organization," Clark said.
Clark looks to be ushering in a new era for women’s pro basketball. There’s never been more attention on the WNBA before. There were more than 20 media members in Gainbridge Fieldhouse today to ask Clark and her teammates about the upcoming season.
Some of the Fever veteran players noticed.
”Oh, it's a party up in here," said Fever forward and 2023 Number 1 pick Aliyah Boston as she entered the press room.
Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell had a similar reaction when asked about the difference between this season and years prior.
”Outside of all the cameras, lights and action," Mitchell said.
It’s not just changes on the outside, but inside the Fever facilities, too. Specifically beefing up security, something Mitchell is adjusting to.
”I saw the security and I was like, 'Ryan, what's up with all the security?'," Mitchell said. "It didn't really dawn on me. I saw a big guy who looked like he was in the CIA."
Security is top of mind, especially as the team prepares to fly commercial from game to game, just as every WNBA team does. Fever GM Lin Dunn said they're prepared.
”We're going to take all the precautions we can to make sure that not only is she safe, that I'm safe, that we're all safe," Dunn said. "That all the players are prepared to be safe and secure."
Clark is making the transition from flying on charter flights in college to commercial in the WNBA. Clark said it's an adjustment but it is what it is.
”There is going to be a lot of security traveling with us," Clark said. "There are going to be certain plans of how we would navigate through airports and things like that."
Clark did mention the possibility of changes on the horizon.
”I think the CBA is up for renegotiation at the end of the season, we can opt out of it and certainly the new media rights deal will have a big impact on that, too," Clark said.
Clark might’ve not stepped foot on the court yet for the Fever, but fans have already shown an overwhelming amount of love.
More than 7,000 watched the jumbotron in Gainbridge Fieldhouse as Clark got drafted miles away in New York City.
”So many of those people could have just chosen to stay home and watch it on TV but they decided to come here and celebrate with everyone and I just think it shows you know these people are itching for the WNBA season," Clark said.
The watch party crowd would've been one of the largest home crowds the Fever saw all last season. The average home attendance for the Fever in 2023 was 4,067. The team ranked 11th in the 12-team WNBA last year in that category.
Fan demand to watch Clark play is up everywhere. Some WNBA teams have moved their games against the Fever into bigger arenas to fit more fans. Clark said she got used to the loud crowds in college and expects the same in the league.
”It's going to be loud, people are going to be screaming," she said. "I would probably be more weirded out if it wasn't like that."
Even if life has been moving fast for Clark, she said it’s an exciting time for women’s basketball as she settles into her new home.
”The support I have felt from this community has been tremendous and I'm just excited to get playing," Clark said.
The Fever tip off at home on May 16 and play 20 home games leading up to the final regular season home game on Sept. 15.
StubHub data shows the Fever as the top trending team in the WNBA. Ticket sales are up 13 times what they were this time last year. The Fever also play in nine out of the 10 best-selling games in the WNBA this year.