INDIANAPOLIS –– Wait, Caitlin Clark was fine with missing her University of Iowa graduation?

Yep, that’s what the Fever’s top pick said following Monday afternoon's practice. The Iowa ceremonies happened over the weekend, but Clark was at Fever training camp in Indianapolis.

“Honestly, I was kinda glad to not have to go,” Clark joked. “Carver-Hawkeye Arena doesn’t have air conditioning, so it gets like, really hot with all those people in there in the spring and summer. It was fine by me, you can just ship my diploma to my parents and we’ll call it good.”

On Sunday, Clark was surprised by teammates on their practice court with her “Certificate of Graduation,” handed to her by fellow 2023 top overall pick Aliyah Boston.

“Hey, it’s always important to graduate and so, she missed hers and so we hosted one for her here,” Boston said Monday, smiling.

Caitlin Clark skips ceremonies for WNBA preparations

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) rushes up the court against Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray (15) on Thursday, May 9, 2024, during the preseason game against the Atlanta Dream at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever defeated the Atlanta Dream, 83-80.
Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK
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Clark was drafted to the Fever on April 15, becoming the first Iowa women's basketball player in program history to go first overall. In her senior season, she was named the National Player of the Year by six different media outlets. Over her four-year career, she started all 139 games she played in and set the new college scoring record.

Right after the timing of the Iowa graduation ceremonies, Clark is gearing up for her pro debut Tuesday night against the Connecticut Sun. After Sunday's practice, Clark shared her mindset about her debut and soaking in the moment. On Monday, Clark added that it'll be cool to be able to experience all the WNBA areas for the first time –– and how important the preseason is in preparing her for it.

“You don't really play those two (preseason) games and you gotta get your feet wet in the first (regular season) one,” Clark said. “That'd probably be pretty difficult. So, being able to just get out there and try different lineups –– obviously we played without Kelsey [Mitchell] and [Erica Wheeler] in the last one –– so that was a little different for myself having to handle the ball quite a bit.”