Add one other accolade to the lengthy checklist that WNBA star Caitlin Clark has achieved in her younger profession. On prime of being named Rookie of the Yr for the league, together with securing a staggering quantity of information, 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 greatest figures in sports activities since she arrived on the collegiate stage, abandoning the huge 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 commenced her ascent into superstardom.
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Clark not solely showcased elite expertise on the courtroom, 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 rework her from a basketball participant right into a budding icon.
Clark commented on the publicity that girls’s basketball started to obtain when the highlight was on her in the TIME article. She acknowledged:
“I have been capable of captivate so many individuals which have by no means watched ladies’s sports activities, not to mention ladies’s basketball, and switch them into followers.”
That’s actually the case. Following her dominance on the courtroom 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 greater arenas in preparation for Clark’s arrival.
Take the Las Vegas Aces, for example. The workforce moved to the T-Cellular Area to doubtlessly welcome the hundreds of followers desirous to see Clark play.
That is to not point out the record-breaking viewership when Clark was concerned. As acknowledged, 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 yr.”
Clark turned a mainstay in basketball, with NBA pundits usually bringing her up in conversations and evaluating her to the present expertise within the males’s league as properly. She continued to be a part of the dialog for change, which is a giant motive why she is now the “Athlete of the Yr.”
Learn extra: Caitlin Clark Makes Sponsorship History, Joins Michael Jordan in Exclusive Company
Very similar to the stardom of Michael Jordan, Clark additionally secured a take care of Wilson, which has not been executed since Jordan turned a family title.
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 taking pictures 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 expertise on the courtroom and her humble persona off the courtroom, 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 which may not be seen once more, however her influence on basketball has absolutely been felt.
For extra on Caitlin Clark, head to Newsweek Sports activities.
