Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark was named the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year on Thursday after receiving 66 of 67 votes for the honor. The lone non-Clark vote went to Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese.
Clark, the No. 1 pick in this year’s WNBA Draft, averaged 19.2 points, 8.4 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game, and the Fever reached the postseason for the first time since 2016. Her popularity helped lift Indiana’s attendance numbers to new heights, as the organization set an all-time WNBA record with a home average of 17,035 fans. Indiana’s attendance increased 319% year-over-year.
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“[Clark has] been special,” said Fever head coach Christie Sides to reporters last month. “She came into the best league in the world, the best women’s basketball league in the world. She found her footing. She’s continued to get better. She’s put herself in position to be called one of the best players in the league. That’s incredible for a rookie.”
The WNBA will give Clark $5,150 for winning Rookie of the Year along with a trophy commemorating the award.
Not missing a marketing beat, the league instantly released nine new apparel items on its website that honored Clark’s Rookie of the Year triumph. It put two hoodies and seven T-shirts on sale.
Clark and the Fever faced the Connecticut Sun in the first round of the WNBA Playoffs last month but lost both their games in a best-of-three series. Still, the future appears bright for the franchise, which also features stars Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston.
Clark was joined on the 2024 WNBA All-Rookie Team by Reese, Kamilla Cardoso, Rickea Jackson and Leonie Fiebich.
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