Indiana Fever go all out for for Caitlin Clark’s first team appearance

The Indiana Fever rolled out the red carpet for Caitlin Clark.

Clark, the No. 1 pick in Monday’s WNBA Draft, received a hero’s welcome from her new team on Thursday when she arrived in Indianapolis.

The Fever had a red carpet ready for Clark, with fans (and we assume employees) lining the walls inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Those in attendance — along with mascot Freddy Fever — cheered as Clark walked in before her introductory press conference.

“I’m super excited to be here,” Clark said. “I’m super happy to be here. Thank you to the Fever, the Pacers. This is a dream come true, these are the moments you dream of.”

This stop in Indianapolis continues what has been a wild week for Clark as he she prepared for the WNBA Draft and then all the hoopla that comes with being the No. 1 pick.

Clark arrived to New York City early for a surprise “Saturday Night Live” appearance and then donned a $17,000 Prada outfit for Monday’s draft, where the Fever honored her with the top selection.

Caitlin Clark arrives to Gainbridge Fieldhouse. @indianafever/Instagram Caitlin Clark is cheered on by fans. @indianafever/Instagram

After being drafted, Clark, boyfriend Connor McCaffery, teammates Kate Martin, Jada Gyamfi and Gabbie Marshall and an Iowa assistant celebrated the good news at The Fleur Room in Manhattan.

A record 2.45 million viewers tuned in to watch Clark hear her name called.

An overhead view of the crowed that greeted Caitlin Clark. @indianafever/Instagram

The Iowa native said she was pulling for Indiana to win the draft lottery.

“I was hoping that Indiana got the first pick, it would’ve made my life a lot better,” Clark said. “When I saw that, I was pretty excited. … To be able to come here and stay in the midwest, it’s only five hours froma Iowa City, seven hours from where I grew up, you can’t script it any better.”

Caitlin Clark answers a question. @IndianaFever/YouTube

With Clark on the roster, along with 2023 No. 1 pick Aaliyah Boston, the Fever now have the seventh-best WNBA title odds at FanDuel at 35/1.

Clark has the fourth-best MVP odds at 12/1.

“I can’t think of a better place to start my career,” Clark said Wednesday of the Fever. “A place that loves basketball, supports women’s basketball and an organization that really does things the right way, has championship pedigree. I’m just very thankful they have faith in me.”