Add one other accolade to the lengthy listing that WNBA star Caitlin Clark has achieved in her younger profession. On high of being named Rookie of the Yr for the league, together with securing a staggering quantity of data, she has now been named “TIME’s Athlete of the Yr.”
Extra information: WNBA Superstar Caitlin Clark in Running for Ownership Stake in Another Sport
Clark has been one of many largest figures in sports activities since she arrived on the collegiate degree, abandoning the large achievement of being the highest-scoring participant in NCAA historical past. The report was held by Corridor of Famer Pete Maravich and stood for 54 years. That was till Clark arrived with the Iowa Hawkeyes, and started her ascent into superstardom.
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Clark not solely showcased elite abilities on the court docket, however she additionally turned a large function mannequin for all the world. Her skillset with the Hawkeyes led to tons of nationwide publicity, in what started to remodel her from a basketball participant right into a budding icon.
Clark commented on the publicity that ladies’s basketball started to obtain when the highlight was on her in the TIME article. She said:
“I have been in a position to captivate so many individuals which have by no means watched girls’s sports activities, not to mention girls’s basketball, and switch them into followers.”
That’s actually the case. Following her dominance on the court docket with the Hawkeyes, she was drafted No. 1 total within the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever. What was astounding is that even earlier than she was formally drafted, a number of groups started to maneuver their video games to larger arenas in preparation for Clark’s arrival.
Take the Las Vegas Aces, as an example. The staff moved to the T-Cell Area to probably welcome the hundreds of followers eager to see Clark play.
That is to not point out the record-breaking viewership when Clark was concerned. As said, she was drafted No. 1 total within the WNBA Draft, which introduced in a report 2.45 million viewers. According to a report from Yahoo Sports, “Clark’s official entry to the league drew 2.45 million, a 374% enhance over the earlier 12 months.”
Clark turned a mainstay in basketball, with NBA pundits typically bringing her up in conversations and evaluating her to the present expertise within the males’s league as effectively. She continued to be a part of the dialog for change, which is a giant purpose why she is now the “Athlete of the Yr.”
Learn extra: Caitlin Clark Makes Sponsorship History, Joins Michael Jordan in Exclusive Company
Very like the stardom of Michael Jordan, Clark additionally secured a take care of Wilson, which has not been achieved since Jordan turned a family identify.
Whereas main the Fever to a 20-20 report and a playoff berth, Clark was honored with All-Star, All-NBA, and Rookie of the Yr accolades, ending fourth in MVP voting. On the season, she completed with averages of 19.2 factors on .417/.344/.906 capturing splits, 8.4 assists, 5.7 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 0.7 blocks an evening, whereas enjoying all 40 video games for the Fever.
Clark continued to showcase her abilities on the court docket and her humble persona off the court docket, resulting in the pure hundreds of individuals tuning in to see her do a lot of something. Even when she began golfing in the Pro-AM, everybody wished to see her shine.
Clark is on a trajectory that may not be seen once more, however her impression on basketball has absolutely been felt.
For extra on Caitlin Clark, head to Newsweek Sports activities.
