Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark has been named the 2024 Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year, adding another prestigious accolade to her remarkable career. Clark, a standout rookie in the WNBA, became just the fourth women’s basketball player to win the award in its 93-year history, joining legends Sheryl Swoopes, Rebecca Lobo, and Candace Parker. She received 35 of 74 votes, surpassing Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles (25 votes) and Olympic boxer Imane Khelif (four votes).
Clark’s achievements in her rookie season were groundbreaking. After a record-setting college career at Iowa, where she became the NCAA Division I all-time leader in points (3,951), made 3-pointers (548), and field goals (1,293), she carried her momentum into the WNBA. Clark broke multiple league records, including most points scored or assisted on (1,106), most All-Star votes (700,735), most double-digit scoring games (35) by a rookie, and the most double-doubles (14) by a rookie guard. She also led the WNBA in assists (8.4 per game) and made 3-pointers (122) while topping all rookies in points (19.2 per game), steals (1.3 per game), and minutes played (35.4 per game).
Her rookie season also saw her shatter several records, such as single-season points (769), single-season assists (337), and single-game assists (19). Clark became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 300 career assists, the only rookie to record a triple-double, and the first player to lead the league in assists per game and made 3-pointers in a season.
In addition to earning Time Magazine’s 2024 Athlete of the Year, Clark was unanimously named the AP WNBA Rookie of the Year, received AP All-WNBA First Team and All-Rookie Team honors, finished fourth in MVP voting, and claimed multiple Rookie and Player of the Month awards. Her impact has been transformative, with unprecedented attention drawn to women’s basketball.
“Caitlin Clark has elevated women’s basketball to levels it has never seen before,” said Rebecca Lobo. “This isn’t a baby step; it’s a giant leap forward for the sport.” Clark’s rookie campaign has solidified her status as one of the most influential athletes in basketball history.
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