Caitlin Clark named unanimous WNBA Rookie of the Year by Associated Press
On Sunday, Caitlin Clark was named the Associated Press WNBA Rookie of the Year. It was a unanimous vote. Clark is only the second player in the Indiana Fever’s history to earn the award — the other being Clark’s teammate, Aliyah Boston.
Clark started all 40 regular season games for the Fever, averaging 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 8.4 assists per game while shooting 41.7% from the field and 34.4% from beyond the arc. Clark’s 8.4 assists per game were a league-high.
The WNBA Rookie of the Year Award is only Clark’s latest achievement. For her debut campaign efforts, she was also a four-time WNBA Rookie of the Month, three-time WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week and WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Month in August.
Additionally, Clark was named to the AP All-WNBA First Team with Napheesa Collier, Breanna Stewart, Alyssa Thomas and A’ja Wilson. Clark finished fourth in MVP voting, with Wilson ultimately walking away with the award.
Clark’s countless accolades were accompanied by endless records. In the 2024 regular season, Clark compiled the most points (769), assists and 3-point field goals made ever by a rookie in WNBA history. Further, Clark’s 337 assists were the most ever in a single season by any WNBA player.
Clark also became the first WNBA rookie to record a triple-double and the only Fever player to ever accomplish the feat. Most importantly, Clark’s individual accomplishments translated to team success.
In 2023, the Fever finished the season with a 13-27 record and failed to reach the WNBA Playoffs. In comparison, Clark led the Fever to a 20-20 mark this season and the Fever are the No. 6 seed in the playoffs.
On Sunday, Clark will aim to add to her jaw-dropping rookie campaign when the Fever square off against the Connecticut Sun in the first round of the WNBA Playoffs at 3 p.m. ET. The game will air live on ABC. All first-round matchups are best-of-three series.
Sheryl Swoopes stands by criticism of Caitlin Clark
Despite Caitlin Clark’s historic season, WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes still claims Clark isn’t “dominating.” During an appearance on Gilbert Arena’s “Gil’s Arena” podcast, Swoopes explained her stance.
“What I said was: I didn’t think Caitlin, or Angel [Reese], would come into the league and dominate immediately,” Swoopes said. “Which I don’t think either of them did.
“I still don’t think she’s dominating,” Swoopes said. “but she’s a different player than she was in the first half of the season.”