The writing was on the wall, however when Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark obtained the decision that she was the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Yr, her teammates immediately celebrated together with her in a second the group will always remember.Â
Clark being named Rookie of the Yr was made official on Thursday after her stellar inaugural marketing campaign within the W, however she discovered of the distinguished award coming her manner after commissioner Kathy Engelbert referred to as Fever head coach Christie Sides throughout a apply earlier than a playoff sport towards the Connecticut Solar.Â
“We now have anyone that wishes to say a pair issues actually fast,” Sides informed the Fever throughout apply.
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Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark reacts throughout a first-round playoff sport towards the Solar, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Uncasville, Connecticut. (AP Photograph/Jessica Hill)
“Hello, Coach Sides, that is WNBA commissioner Kathy Engelbert. Do we’ve the group all collectively?” Engelbert replied. “All proper, I do know you guys are in Connecticut. Good luck in tomorrow’s playoff sport and is Caitlin Clark within the room?”
That is when Engelbert gave Clark, and the remainder of the group, reward earlier than saying what everybody knew was approaching the decision.Â
“Caitlin, it seems like yesterday once I referred to as your identify to the stage because the primary decide on this 12 months’s draft,” Engelbert defined. “You held the Indiana Fever jersey for the primary time and what a record-breaking season for you and all the group stuffed with excellent performances. I do know all of you had laborious work and dedication, and it’s paid off together with your playoffs, and many others. I do know the very best is but to come back.Â
CAITLIN CLARK OFFICIALLY NAMED WNBA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR AFTER HISTORIC SEASON
“So, congratulations, Caitlin. You’re the 2024 Kia WNBA Rookie of the Yr!”
Clark tried to maintain a straight face all through the decision, whereas solely replying “information” when Engelbert mentioned, “I do know the very best is but to come back.”
However, when she mentioned Clark was the WNBA Rookie of the Yr, the primary decide was mobbed by her teammates, who all jumped up and down in elation.Â
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark rushes up the courtroom, Sept. 15, 2024, throughout a sport at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. (Grace Hollars/IndyStar/USA At the moment Community through Imagn Photographs)
After a storied profession at Iowa, which led to breaking the NCAA all-time scoring report for each women and men’s basketball, Clark shined in her rookie season with 19.2 factors per sport and eight.4 assists, which led the WNBA.Â
She set quite a few information over the season, together with probably the most factors and three-pointers by a rookie in league historical past, whereas changing into the primary rookie to report a triple-double. Clark had 334 assists, which was not solely probably the most by any rookie in league historical past, however probably the most by any participant in a single season.Â
When the votes had been tallied, Clark had 66 of 67 first-place votes for Rookie of the Yr, whereas Chicago Sky star Angel Reese, who was speculated as giving Clark probably the most competitors for the award, obtained one first-place vote.Â
Sadly for Clark and the Fever, their season got here to an finish throughout that playoff sequence with the Solar.Â
Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever reacts within the sport towards the Phoenix Mercury at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Aug. 16, 2024. (Justin Casterline/Getty Photographs)
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However there’s greater than sufficient for Clark and the Fever to construct on after this season that can reside within the report books, as her WNBA profession is off to a quick begin with some critical {hardware} to place within the trophy case now.Â
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