
Caitlin Clark
Joe Buglewicz/Getty PhotosCaitlin Clark When she realized she was the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the 12 months, she wasn’t alone.
On Thursday, October 3, the league introduced its high honor for the 22-year-old Indiana Fever rookie. After the information got here out, it sparked heated discussions Posted video through X Displaying the second Clark first heard about her achievement just a few days in the past.
The video exhibits the purpose guard understanding forward of the group’s Sept. 25 recreation in opposition to the Connecticut Solar. (The Suns beat the Fever 87-81, knocking them out of the playoffs.) As Clark and his teammates stood on the courtroom, league commissioner Cathy Engelbert Referred to as them personally and delivered the excellent news forward of time.
“Caitlin, it appears like simply yesterday that I used to be on stage calling your title because the No. 1 decide on this yr’s draft,” Engelbert informed Clark. “You have got your first Indiana Fever jerseys, and it has been a record-breaking season for you and the whole group, full of excellent performances – I do know the exhausting work and dedication you all put in, and that is mirrored in your It paid off within the playoffs and stuff like that.
Listening to Engelbert’s preface, Clark smiled and appeared somewhat nervous. Her face was full of suppressed emotion.
“I do know the most effective is but to return,” Engelbert continued. “Effectively, congratulations, Kaitlin. You’re the 2024 Kia WNBA Rookie of the 12 months!
Clark raised her fists proudly as different athletes gathered round her, cheering and leaping up and down.
Clark’s boyfriend, Connor McCaffreyButler College males’s basketball assistant coach forwarded the WNBA’s announcement of her “rookie” title to her Weibo Instagram Thursday’s story.
Earlier this month, McCaffrey, 26 received an ideal response His girlfriend was named the WNBA Rookie of the 12 months by the Related Press. “Ugh,” he wrote in his story.
“Caitlin is particular. All people is aware of that. She’s particular,” Fever coach Christie Sides Inform indy star Clark stated in a post-game interview on September 22. She discovered her footing. Her situation continued to enhance. She has established herself as probably the greatest gamers on this league. She is without doubt one of the causes we’re right here as we speak.
Though Clark did not lead the Fever to the WNBA Finals, she broke information in her debut as knowledgeable basketball participant. She broke the rookie single-season scoring report and the single-season help report.
“I am a strict grader. I really feel like I had a strong yr,” Clark stated final week. Based on the Related Press. “The enjoyable half for me is I really feel like I’ve solely scratched the floor and I am the one who nitpicks the whole lot I do. I do know I wish to assist this group. … I do know There’s nonetheless numerous room for me to proceed to enhance, so that is what excites me probably the most I really feel like I am persevering with to get higher.