Caitlin Clark proved time and again this season that she was more than deserving of the WNBA Rookie of the Year award.
On Thursday, the Indiana Fever phenom was officially crowned ROTY by the league, receiving 66 of 67 first-place votes. Clark fell one vote short of unanimously winning the accolade, with the single outlier going to Chicago Sky star forward Angel Reese.
Regardless, Clark still has much to be happy about on the heels of a historic rookie campaign. Over 40 regular-season games with the Fever – all of which the 22-year-old started – she averaged 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and a league-best 8.4 assists.
- WNBA commissioner told she is the problem after making Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark stance clear
- 6 things noticed from moment Caitlin Clark found out she won WNBA Rookie of the Year
“I am incredibly honored to be named Rookie of the Year, but more than that, I am grateful to everyone that supported me throughout this past season – my family and friends, my teammates, the Fever organization and everyone that cheered us on all season,” Clark said in an official release. “I am so proud of what we accomplished and so excited for what the future holds.”
When the dust had finally settled on her dominant first season in the WNBA, Clark finished with the most points, assists and 3-pointers by a rookie in league history. Even more impressive, she additionally set the single-game and single-season records for assists among all players with 19 and 337, respectively.
Nike faces backlash over Caitlin Clark treatment since $28 million deal
Nika Muhl’s worst injury fears realized as WNBA future immediately thrown into doubt
Clark’s influence extended well past the court, as well. According to the News & Observer, she and the Fever broke the single-season record for average attendance (17,036) and total attendance (340,715) while also smashing a plethora of records in ratings and merchandise sales.
Below, Mirror Sports U.S. looks at several of Clark’s most memorable moments this year.
-
- 1 of 11Welcome to the WNBA
Clark received a rude welcome to the league while facing off against the New York Liberty on June 2. After ramming into forward Jonquel Jones, who set a strong screen on the Fever guard, she popped her eardrum – a moment that she described as more “memorable” than her record-breaking feats.
-
- (
Image:
-
- Getty Images)
- 2 of 11First of many records broken
On July 6, Clark enacted revenge against the Liberty with a masterful showing in the Fever’s 83-78 win. She finished the game with 19 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists – marking the first triple-double by a rookie in WNBA history
-
- (
Image:
-
- Getty Images)
- 3 of 11A dime a dozen
Against the Dallas Wings on July 17, Clark etched her name in the history books once again by dishing out 19 dimes – thereby breaking the WNBA single-game assist record. Despite also scoring 24 points on 10-of-19 shooting, she was unable to stave off a 101-93 loss.
-
- (
Image:
-
- Getty Images)
- 4 of 11Shining like a star
Following a dominant first half to the season, Clark was awarded a spot on Team WNBA for the All-Star Game. She made the most of the opportunity, recording 10 assists and helping beat Team USA 117-109.
-
- (
Image:
-
- Getty Images)
- 5 of 11Back like she never left
Clark returned with a vengeance in her first game back from the Olympic break, seemingly making her case for why she should’ve been on the Team USA roster for the Paris Games. The Iowa-product recorded 29 points, 10 assists and five rebounds in the Fever’s 98-89 win over the Phoenix Mercury.
-
- (
Image:
-
- Getty Images)
- 6 of 11Spreading the wealth
With nine more assists against the Seattle Storm on August 18, Clark shattered the single-season mark for rookie assists. Ticha Penicheiro previously held the mark, recording 225 for the Sacramento Monarchs in 1998.
-
- (
Image:
-
- Getty Images)
- 7 of 11From way downtown
To the surprise of hardly anyone, Clark surpassed Atlanta Dream’s Rhyne Howard for the most 3-pointers made by a rookie, nailing her 86th of the year from well behind the 3-point line. She finished the season with 122 shots made from downtown.
-
- (
Image:
-
- Getty Images)
- 8 of 11Sky’s the limit
Clark turned in yet another dominant performance against the Chicago Sky and Reese on August 30, registering 31 points and 12 assists in a 100-81 win. In doing so, she became just the fifth player in WNBA history to finish a game with 30+ points and 10+ assists.
-
- (
Image:
-
- Getty Images)
- 9 of 11Punching their ticket
After the Sky and Atlanta Dream each suffered defeats on September 3, Clark and the Fever officially secured their spot in the playoffs for the first time since the 2016 regular season. Indiana would ultimately be swept by the Sun in Round 1.
-
- (
Image:
-
- Getty Images)
- 10 of 11In a league of her own
Clark further built upon her historical rookie season against the Las Vegas Aces on September 13, during which she dished out her 317th assist of the season – surpassing the record previously set by Alyssa Thomas last year. The 22-year-old finished the year with 337.
-
- (
Image:
-
- Getty Images)
- 11 of 11Going out with a bang
In the penultimate game of the regular-season, Clark recorded a career-high 35 points in a 110-109 win over the Wings. She additionally set the single-season record for points by a rookie.
Leave a Reply