Caitlin Clark, who was selected first overall in the WNBA draft after an incredible college career, has significantly raised the profile of the league this season. Her remarkable long-range shots, impressive assists, and ability to draw huge crowds to every game have culminated in her being named the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year.

The Iowa alum received 66 out of 67 votes, surpassing her main rival and former college competitor, Angel Reese. This recognition highlights Clark’s outstanding performance and the Indiana Fever’s achievements this season. Reese, who led the league with an average of 13.1 rebounds per game, missed the final weeks of the season due to a broken wrist and received only one vote.

This season marked the Fever’s return to the playoffs for the first time since 2016 as the sixth seed, facing the Connecticut Sun in the opening round. Although the Fever were defeated 2-0, Clark remarked that the experience provided them with “a taste of where we want to be.”

In the regular season, Clark led all rookies in scoring with an impressive average of 19.2 points per game, ranking her seventh overall in the league. She also topped the league in assists with 8.4 per game and made 122 three-pointers. Throughout the year, Clark broke multiple records, including those for single-season rookie scoring and assists, as well as the record for assists in a single game. Notably, in July, she became the first rookie in the league’s 28-year history to achieve a triple-double, with a second occurring on September 4.

“I am deeply honored to be recognized as Rookie of the Year. Beyond that, I am thankful to everyone who supported me this past season—my family, friends, teammates, the Fever organization, and all the fans who cheered us on throughout the season. I take great pride in what we achieved and look forward to the future,” Clark stated.

Her rising stardom has made the Fever a must-watch team, leading to record-breaking viewing figures for games featuring Clark. The Fever also set a new franchise attendance record, regularly filling Gainbridge Fieldhouse as thousands came to witness her play. Tickets for road games involving the Fever were highly sought after, prompting some teams to shift their games against Indiana to larger venues to accommodate the influx of fans.

Clark is also expected to receive All-WNBA honors. In the league, voters choose two teams of five players, regardless of their position, to represent the best performers.

This article has been updated with the latest information.