By Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever has been named the WNBA Rookie of the Year, receiving 66 of 67 votes from a national panel of sportswriters and sportscasters, the league announced Thursday.
Clark, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 WNBA draft out of Iowa, averaged 19.2 points and a league-leading 8.4 assists per game in her debut season. Her stellar performance helped the Fever reach the playoffs for the first time since 2016, finishing with a 20-20 record after a 1-8 start.
“I am incredibly honored to be named Rookie of the Year,” Clark said in a statement. “I am so proud of what we accomplished and so excited for what the future holds.”
The 21-year-old guard’s impact extended beyond the court, contributing to record-breaking attendance and viewership for the WNBA. Clark’s rookie season was marked by numerous achievements, including recording the first two triple-doubles by a rookie in WNBA history, setting a league single-game record with 19 assists, and becoming the first rookie to have at least 30 points and 10 assists in a game.
Clark also led the league with 122 3-pointers made and set a WNBA single-season record with 337 assists. Her dominance was particularly evident post-Olympic break, where she averaged 24.7 points and 9.3 assists over a 10-game stretch, leading the Fever to an 8-2 record.
“Caitlin’s impact on the league has been unprecedented for a rookie,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “Her combination of skill, leadership, and marketability has elevated the entire WNBA.”
The only other vote for Rookie of the Year went to Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese, who averaged 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds per game.
Clark’s popularity helped drive significant increases in WNBA viewership and attendance. The Fever led the league in attendance both at home (averaging 17,036) and on the road (over 15,000). Four teams moved home games to larger arenas when Indiana visited to accommodate fan demand.
Despite a first-round playoff exit, Clark’s postseason debut drew 1.8 million viewers, making it the most-watched WNBA playoff game since the 2000 Finals and the most-watched playoff game ever on ESPN.
As Clark looks ahead to her sophomore season, expectations remain high. “I feel like I’m just scratching the surface,” she said. “I know there’s a lot of room for me to continue to improve, and that’s what excites me the most.”
With Clark’s Rookie of the Year win, the Indiana Fever become the first team since the Los Angeles Sparks in 2012-2013 to have back-to-back Rookie of the Year winners, following Aliyah Boston’s 2023 honor.
AP
