In second grade, Caitlin Clark wrote down her WNBA dreams. Now, they’ll finally come true.

Recruiting: Dowling's Caitlin Clark earning national attention

In second grade, Caitlin Clark penned a note to herself, detailing her aspirations for the future. “Get a basketball scholarship, play in the WNBA,” she reminisced about the note’s contents.

Fast forward to Monday, and Clark’s childhood dreams are set to become reality: she’s been chosen by the Indiana Fever as the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft. It’s the culmination of years of hard work and dedication, honing her skills as an Iowa Hawkeye where she dazzled with her 3-pointers and record-breaking performances.

Fresh off the NCAA championship game and spending the weekend in New York City, Clark expressed her excitement about the upcoming challenges in the WNBA. “I hope my game translates to the next level,” she said, acknowledging the learning curve ahead but also expressing confidence in her ability and the support she’ll receive from veteran teammates.

While Clark has long been a pivotal figure for Iowa, she’s eager to embrace the camaraderie of her future teammates and share the burden of responsibility. Despite the high expectations accompanying her transition to the pros, Clark sees it as a natural part of aspiring to be among the best in the world.

As she reflects on her journey, Clark emphasizes the importance of hard work and confidence in oneself. Her dedication to practice and preparation has been integral to her success, and she’s proud to represent the culmination of her efforts on the court.

Looking ahead, Clark’s aspirations extend beyond the WNBA court; she’s eyeing a potential spot on the U.S. women’s basketball team for the Olympics in Paris. It’s a childhood dream she holds dear, driven by a desire to achieve Olympic gold and inspire the next generation of young athletes.

Beyond her athletic achievements, Clark takes pride in the impact she has on young girls who look up to her as a role model. She understands the significance of representation in sports and strives to make time for her fans, knowing firsthand the inspiration a moment with a sports hero can provide.

As she prepares to embark on the next chapter of her basketball journey, Clark remains grounded in her love for the game and her commitment to excellence. With her sights set on the future, she’s ready to continue inspiring and elevating the world of women’s basketball, one record-breaking shot at a time.

Indiana Fever select Iowa's Caitlin Clark No. 1 in 2024 WNBA draft - ESPN

Clark attributes the rise of women’s basketball to various factors, including the opportunity to play on a national stage, the influence of social media, and the implementation of the name, image, and likeness policy in college sports. She sees these developments as key contributors to the growing popularity of the sport.

“The best thing is, like, they’re here now,” Clark remarked about the influx of new fans. “Let’s continue to bring them in and want them to keep coming back for more.”

She’s aware of the buzz surrounding the Indiana Fever’s season tickets selling fast and other teams relocating to accommodate larger crowds to watch her play. However, she views this as a win not just for the WNBA but for women’s basketball as a whole.

“I think it’s only going to help the league grow even more,” Clark emphasized. “The more people we can bring into the league, whether they’ve just been college fans and now they can be college basketball fans and WNBA fans, will only help the league to grow.”

In the transition between her college basketball career and turning pro, Clark seized an opportunity to champion women’s basketball on a different stage: “Saturday Night Live.” In a cameo on the “Weekend Update” segment, she addressed past criticisms of women’s sports by the host, Michael Che, and paid homage to the trailblazing women’s basketball players who paved the way before her.

While Clark admitted feeling nervous about her “SNL” appearance, she found it more daunting than preparing for the national championship game. Yet, she embraced the opportunity to showcase women’s basketball on a mainstream platform.

Beyond the spotlight of television appearances and championship games, Clark cherishes the quieter moments with her family and teammates. Whether it’s sharing the “SNL” stage with her fellow Hawkeyes or spending time with loved ones between games, these are the moments that hold the most meaning for her.

“It’s just the little moments that a lot of people in the public don’t get to see,” Clark reflected. “That’s kind of what means the most to me.”