Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever has been named the WNBA Rookie of the Year in a dominant near-unanimous vote, receiving 66 of 67 votes from a national panel of sportswriters and sportscasters. The No. 1 overall pick from Iowa averaged 19.2 points and a league-best 8.4 assists per game, leading the league in several statistical categories. Clark’s impressive rookie season helped the Fever make it to the playoffs for the first time since 2016 and garnered mainstream attention for the WNBA.
Despite not being selected for the U.S. Olympic team, Clark showed her prowess on the court by averaging 24.7 points and 9.3 assists in the games following the Olympic break. She set several records during her rookie season, including recording the first two triple-doubles by a rookie in WNBA history and setting a league single-season record with 337 assists.
Clark’s impact wasn’t just on the court, as she, along with her fellow rookies, helped boost ratings and attendance for the WNBA. Indiana led the league in attendance both at home and on the road, with games featuring the Fever setting viewership records. The Fever’s presence in the playoffs also drew significant viewership, with their game against Connecticut becoming the most watched playoff game on ESPN in WNBA history.
Clark’s exceptional rookie season solidifies her as a rising star in the league, and her future in the WNBA looks bright.
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