Caitlin Clark is the WNBA Rookie of the Year in the wake of a season that saw her rewrite the league and Indiana Fever record books and finish fourth in Most Valuable Player voting.
Her WNBA records include assists in a season (337) and in a game (19), and turnovers (228). Her WNBA rookie records include points (769), assists, 3-pointers (122) and triple-doubles (2).
Caitlin Clark is Rookie of Year: ‘Is she best guard in the WNBA right now?’
Rookie of Year: Caitlin Clark’s best games of record-breaking season
She lifted the Fever to their first playoff appearance since 2016 and set team records for points, assists, 3-pointers, double-doubles (14) and minutes played (1,416).
Where Caitlin Clark ranks all-time among WNBA rookies
1, Candace Parker, Los Angeles Sparks, 2008: It was quite a year for Parker: NCAA title for Tennessee, No. 1 overall draft pick, Olympic gold medal, and the WNBA Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable player honors. Parker scored a debut-game record 34 points and became the first WNBA player to dunk twice in a season. L.A. improved from 10-24 the previous season to 20-14 and won its first-round playoff series.
2, Tamika Catchings, Indiana Fever, 2002: The Fever drafted Catchings in 2001, but an ACL injury forced her to wait a year to make her debut. The Fever improved 6 games from 2001 to ’02, primarily due to Catchings’ superlative play at both ends of the court, and they reached the playoffs. She averaged 18.6 points, 2.9 steals and was second in WNBA Defensive Player of the Year voting. She was first-team All-WNBA.
3, Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever, 2024: By on-court measurements, Clark competes well with the top 10 among all-time WNBA rookies. She led the league in assists and led the Fever in scoring as they improved 7 wins over last season and returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2016. She also produced the only two triple-doubles by a rookie in league history. Throw in off-court measurements, and she rates better. The WNBA has never had more attention in terms of fan attendance and TV viewership.
4, Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm, 2016: The No. 1 overall draft pick scored 23 points in her debut, poured in a season high of 38 points and finished with 18.3 points and 9.3 rebounds (second in the league). She was second in Defensive Player of the Year voting and was second-team All-WNBA. Seattle improved 6 games from the previous season to reach the playoffs.
5, Diana Taurasi, Phoenix Mercury, 2004: The top overall pick led Phoenix from Day 1 that season, scoring 23 points in her debut and leading the Mercury in scoring and assists. Phoenix improved 9 games in the standings but didn’t make the playoffs. Taurasi was third in MVP voting and earned first-team All-WNBA honors.
Other terrific rookie seasons (in alphabetical order): Seimone Augustus, Tina Charles, Elena Delle Donne, Chamique Holdsclaw, A’ja Wilson
WNBA Rookie of the Year winners
2024: Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever: 19.2 points, league-leading 8.4 assists, 5.7 rebounds, All-Star, 4th in MVP voting
2023: Aliyah Boston, Indiana Fever: 14.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, All-Star, 11th in MVP voting
2022: Rhyne Howard, Atlanta Dream: 16.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, All-Star
2021: Michaela Onyenwere, New York Liberty: 8.6 points
2020: Crystal Dangerfield, Minnesota Lynx: 16.2 points, 3.6 assists
2019: Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx: 13.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, All-Star
2018: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces: 20.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, All-Star, 7th in MVP voting
2017: Allisha Gray, Dallas Wings: 13.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.5 steals
2016: Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm: 18.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.9 blocked shots, second-team All-WNBA, 6th in MVP voting, 2nd in Defensive Player of the Year voting
2015: Jewell Loyd, Seattle Storm: 10.7 points, 3.5 rebounds
2014: Chiney Ogwumike, Connecticut Sun: 15.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, All-Star
2013: Elena Delle Donne, Chicago Sky: 18.1 points, 43.8% 3-point shooting, 5.6 rebounds, 1.8 blocked shots, All-Star, 3rd in MVP voting, second-team All-WNBA
2012: Nneka Ogwumike, Los Angeles Sparks: 14.0 points, 7.5 rebounds
2011: Maya Moore, Minnesota Lynx: 13.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.4 steals, All-Star, 13th in MVP voting
2010: Tina Charles, Connecticut Sun: 15.5 points, 11.7 rebounds, 1.7 blocked shots, 7th in MVP voting, second-team All-WNBA, third in Defensive Player of the Year voting
2009: Angel McCoughtry, Atlanta Dream: 12.8 points, 2.2 steals, second-team All-Defense, second in 6th Player of the Year voting
2008: Candace Parker, Los Angeles Sparks: 18.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.3 blocked shots, WNBA MVP, 4th in Defensive Player of the Year voting
2007: Armintie Price, Chicago Sky: 7.9 points, 6.0 rebounds
2006: Seimone Augustus, Minnesota Lynx: 21.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, All-Star, second-team All-WNBA, 10th in MVP voting
2005: Temeka Johnson, Washington Mystics: 9.3 points, 5.2 assists
2004: Diana Taurasi, Phoenix Mercury: 17.0 points, 3.9 assists, 1.3 steals, 3rd in WNBA MVP voting, first-team All-WNBA
2003: Cheryl Ford, Detroit Shock: 10.8 Points, 10.4 rebounds, All-Star, 10th in MVP voting, second-team All-WNBA.
2002: Tamika Catchings, Indiana Fever: 18.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.9 steals, All-Star, 3rd in MVP voting, first-team All-WNBA, 2nd in Defensive Player of the Year voting
2001: Jackie Stiles, Portland Fire: 14.9 points, 43.1% 3-point shooting, All-Star
2000: Betty Lennox, Minnesota Lynx: 16.9 points, 39.6% 3-point shooting, 5.6 rebounds, All-Star, second-team All-WNBA, 16th in MVP voting
1999: Chamique Holdsclaw, Washington Mystics: 16.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, All-Star, second-team All-WNBA, 6th in MVP voting
1998: Tracy Reid, Charlotte Sting: 13.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 15th in MVP voting
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark produces 1 of WNBA all-time rookie years
