Caitlin Clark Gets Emotional as She Learns She's the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year

Mar. 15, 2025

Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever.Photo:Michael Hickey/Getty

Michael Hickey/Getty

Caitlin Clarkis the 2024 WNBA rookie of the year!

The 22-year-old Indiana Fever star was announced as the winner of the coveted award on Thursday, Oct. 3 in a statement from the WNBA.

And to celebrate the big news, the Fever shared avideoof the moment when Clark — who wasselected first overall in April’s draft— learned she nabbed the honor.

During a team practice before their playoff game in Connecticut — before the Sun knocked the Fever out of the WNBA postseason — league commissionerCathy Engelbertdelivered the news to Clark and her teammates over the phone, telling the rookie, “It feels like just yesterday that I called your name to the stage as the number one pick in this year’s draft.”

The commissioner also recalled Clark holding her Indiana Fever jersey “for the first time” at the draft in April and said Clark has had a “record-breaking season” in her rookie year.

Engelbert then complimented the Fever for their “outstanding performances” throughout the season to make it to this year’s playoffs.

Caitlin Clark poses with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.Sarah Stier/Getty

Sarah Stier/Getty

“I know the best is yet to come,” Engelbert added, to which Clark replied, “Facts.”

Engelbert then announced, “So congratulations Caitlin, you are the 2024 Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year!”

Clark looked proud and emotional as she heard Engelbert tell her the good news. Her Fever teammates reacted excitedly to the announcement as well, jumping up and down with her and cheering for their rookie teammate’s success.

Clark’s teammates also recorded video messages to congratulate her on the honor. The Fever compiled them into asweet video on Xafter the news was announced.

With Clark’s selection, the Indiana Fever now have consecutive wins for rookie of the year after Aliyah Boston earned the honor last year.

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Clark received praise from the basketball world after being named rookie of the year, including avideo messagefrom NBA star Chris Paul andshoutouts from Indiana Pacers playersObi Toppin, Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner.

Clark started all 40 games for Indiana in her rookie season, averaging 19.2 points, 8.4 assists (a WNBA high, per the league), 5.7 rebounds and 1.33 steals. She led the rookie class in assists, points, steals and minutes played this season. She also had the league’s second-highest percentage in free throw shooting with 90.6% accuracy.

The Fever rookie set a league record for most assists in a single record with 337 and was selected for the 2024 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game.

source: people.com