Caitlin Clark's $76,535 salary shocks fans following her selection as first overall pick by Indiana Fever

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK: Amid much fanfare, Caitlin Clark has finally transitioned into pro basketball. The 22-year-old generational talent was selected by Indiana Fever as the overall first-draft pick during the Monday, April 15 event.

Just weeks after the NCAA Women's Basketball National Championship, the WNBA organized its annual drafting ceremony that witnessed the women's basketball stars getting drafted to the big teams.

Details from the WNBA annual drafting ceremony

The Iowa Hawkeyes star was drafted to Indiana Fever with a starting WNBA salary of $76,535, per BuzzFeed.

Along with Clark, the other notable names including South Carolina Gamecocks star center Kamilla Cardoso, and Louisiana State University’s forward Angel Reese also attended the ceremony and subsequently got drafted on Monday. 

After Clark's selection as the first draft pick, Stanford forward Cameron Brink was chosen by the Los Angeles Sparks as the second pick. The Sparks also acquired University of Tennessee small forward Rickea Jackson, making her the fourth overall pick in the draft.

Kamilla Cardoso from South Carolina was selected by the Chicago Sky as the third overall pick, while the Dallas Wings drafted Ohio State University point guard Jacy Sheldon as the fifth pick.

Angel Reese went to Sky as the seventh overall pick. 

Monday's draft marked the first occasion where Prada dressed any male or female basketball star for the ceremony. Clark made her appearance in a custom Prada co-ord set for the occasion.

Internet reacts to Caitlin Clark's first draft

The internet celebrated Caitlin Clark's transition into the WNBA. One of the fans said, "It’s so cool to see how excited Caitlin Clark’s new teammates are to have her in Indiana, especially after some of the comments over the last few months. That entire city is going to rally around her."

Someone else declared, "There will be record viewership this year and then back to the status quo next year."

Another fan warned the opponents in jest, "Fever's got Clark; opponents better mark!"

"She is a born star," said someone else.

Another social media user chimed in, "A historic moment for women's basketball!"

However, another fan voiced her grievances regarding pay disparity, saying, "Caitlin Clark’s year one wnba salary as first draft pick is only $78,000 as opposed to $10 million for a men’s first draft pick. This is bringing back my USWNT anger in full force." [sic]

Someone else replied, "Are they just supposed to be paid the same because? If the WNBA had equal revenue to the NBA I bet the salaries would be very similar."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.