The NCAA’s all-time leading scorer will make that dream come true during the WNBA Draft in Brooklyn, New York

Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrates after breaking the NCAA women’s all-time scoring record during the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on February 15, 2024 in Iowa City, Iowa. . 

In the second grade, Caitlin Clark made a list of her goals, including to play in the WNBA
Her mother, Anne Nizzi-Clark, still has the list, according to the Associated Press
Clark said “I can’t wrap my head around” the record-breaking viewership numbers from this year’s NCAA women’s tournament

Caitlin Clark will check a major goal off of her childhood bucket list when she is drafted by the WNBA.

Clark, 22, is expected to be picked first overall by the Indiana Fever when the women’s league welcomes its newest class on April 15, marking a sentimental milestone for the former Iowa Hawkeyes star.

In interviews with the Sssociated Press and Today , Clark said she wrote down a list of goals when she was in the second grade, with one being to play in the WNBA. “I think more than anything, I’m just really excited,” Clark said of her new chapter in the professional league, per the NBC News program.

“This is a dream, this is something I wrote down on a piece of paper when I was in, like, second grade. Get a basketball scholarship. Play in the WNBA. This is something I’ve always wanted to do,” she added.

Guard Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes drives against guard Greta Kampschroeder #11the Michigan Wolverines during the second half at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on February 15, 2024 in Iowa City, Iowa.MATTHEW HOLST/GETTY

According to the AP, her mother, Anne Nizzi-clark , still has the piece of paper with the list Clark wrote as a young girl. “It’s pretty special, looking back at that sheet I was able to check off a lot of goals,” Clark told the outlet.

Reflecting on her star power after bringing in record viewership to the women’s NCAA tournament this season, Clark told today host Stephanie Gosk that she still can’t believe some of the statistics.

“If you would have told me that we would [be] here playing in front of 24 million people on national television, I’d say that was insane. I still can’t wrap my head around it,” she said, calling the rise in popularity “something that everyone should be proud of.”

“Where it’s going to continue to grow, the young stars in our game are really good,” Clark added in her segment. “The WNBA is really good. The talent level across the board has helped this.”

Guard Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes interacts with fans after the match-up against the DePaul Blue Demons at Kinnick Stadium during the Crossover at Kinnick event on October 15, 2023 in Iowa City, Iowa.MATTHEW HOLST/GETTY

And with Clark’s young fans ready to cheer her on during Monday’s draft, which sold out in just 15 minutes during its first year offering tickets for purchase, the basketball star told Gosk, “That’s the reason you do it.”

“I think, you know, understanding how big of an impact that can have on a young girl’s life is super important,” she continued. “So I always try to make as much time as I can for them. And just to see them scream your name or have your jersey on — that’s something that never gets old.”

In February, Clark broke the NCAA’s all-time scoring record, surpassing “Pistol” Pete Maravich. In an interview with ESPN , trailblazing former women’s tennis star Billie Jean King praised Clark as “one of the best” basketball players on the planet.

“She is the hottest star in basketball — all of basketball, and not just women’s basketball — and with that comes a heavy responsibility to be a leader on and off the court,” King, 80, said. “She gets it, and that is part of the reason she will have an opportunity to be one of the best in her sport and a role model for future generations.”