ARLINGTON, TEXAS – MAY 03: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever high-fives Aliyah Boston #7 after a basket against the Dallas Wings during the second quarter in the preseason game at College Park Center on May 03, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Just a few weeks after becoming the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, Caitlin Clark made her debut for the Indiana Fever.

In a preseason clash with the Dallas Wings, the former Iowa Hawkeyes star got her first taste of professional basketball. Clark didn’t waste time acclimating to the pros, though as she scored 11 of the Fever’s first 19 points.

The NCAA’s all-time leading scorer slowed down her scoring pace, but still finished the game with 21 points to go along with three rebounds, two assists and two steals.

“My biggest goal coming into tonight was to continue to be myself, play aggressive,” Clark said after the game. “I thought that’s what I did. I think there’s a lot to be proud of.”

She and the Fever fell in their preseason opener by a final score of 79-76 thanks to a game-winning, step-back 3-pointer with 3.0 seconds to play from Wings star Arika Ogunbowale.

That didn’t hinder the atmosphere for Clark, though.

“You couldn’t ask for a better game, really, for women’s basketball to kick off this [WNBA] year,” Clark said. “A tremendous game coming down to the wire, both teams competing. That’s going to be the story of the entire year.”

The Fever rookie is taking everything in stride.

“There’s a lot of good to take away from it. At the same time, it’s preseason game, so don’t get too disappointed by it,” Clark said. “Just go back and watch the film, learn from it, and get ready for our next one.”

Up next for Clark and the Fever is a battle against the Atlanta Dream on Thursday for the final preseason showdown.