It’s not a foregone conclusion that Caitlin Clark will be wearing an Indiana Fever uniform next season.
It’s safe to say that the WNBA is ready for Caitlin Clark to inject some more excitement into the league.
The Indiana Fever won the “Caitlin Clark Sweepstakes” when the franchise was awarded the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA draft. Knowing that they have a chance to pair one best players in the history of women’s college basketball with their budding superstar and reigning Rookie of the Year, Aaliyah Boston, has created a lot of buzz around the organization.
That excitement hasn’t missed Boston. In fact, she fantasized to reporters about what Clark could bring to the team.
“How versatile she is,” Boston said when asked about Clark’s skillset by the local media. “Her vision on the court. I think that’s super important. And I think she does a great job of that at Iowa.”
Clark is averaging 30.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 7.2 assists for the No. 4 Hawkeyes and she currently sits as the frontrunner to win her second consecutive Naismith Player of the Year award. If this comes to fruition, then the duo of Boston and Clark would give Indiana the award’s two previous winners (Boston was named the Naismith Player of the Year in 2022).
However, it’s not a foregone conclusion that Clark will be wearing a Fever uniform next season.
Clark still has one more year of eligibility left. And as of now, the Hawkeyes superstar has yet to declare for the WNBA draft. Although no reason has been given as to why she hasn’t made a decision, it’s important to note that Clark is one of college sports’ biggest NIL earners.
According to reports, Clark will make close to $777,000 in NIL money this year. It’s likely that she’ll make even more money next year if she chooses to continue her college career. Yet, in the WNBA, the rookie salary is just $74,305 for the No. 1 pick.
We can assume that her major endorsement deals (which includes a recently-inked multi-year partnership with Gatorade) would carry over into her professional career. But still, there’s a possibility that Clark could take a dramatic pay cut if she chooses to forgo her remaining eligibility and declare for the WNBA draft.
Boston — who was no NIL slouch, herself — understands the gravity of this decision. Although she would probably love to have Clark has her running mate in Gainbridge Fieldhouse, she knows that Caitlin has to carefully weigh her options. But that won’t stop her from watching the colligate superstar continue to shred nets if she decides to go another round at Iowa.
“I think it’s going to be exciting whatever she decides, whether that’s to come out (into the WNBA Draft) or that’s to stay in,” Boston said. “Regardless, ultimately, it’s her decision. She has to do what’s best for her. But whoever we get in the number one pick, they’re going to enjoy the Fever.”
The No. 4 Hawkeyes will play Loyola on Thursday at 6 PM ET. Iowa’s won’t play another ranked opponent until Jan. 13 when they face off against No. 16 Indiana.
The Daily Dish is a daily college basketball column by a rotating cast of 247Sports writers on the biggest stories of the day in the sport and will run through the NCAA Tournament championship in April.
