The WNBA celebrated Caitlin Clark’s record-breaking rookie season in a social media post, highlighting her accomplishment of breaking the single-season assists record with 321 total assists. However, fans pointed out that Clark actually finished the season with 337 assists, a new record in the league. Some fans criticized the WNBA for not accurately representing Clark’s achievements and called for a correction to be made in the post to reflect her actual assist total. Despite the error in the post, Clark’s impact on the court during her rookie season was undeniable, changing the fate of her team, the Indiana Fever, and making a significant impact on the WNBA landscape.
Clark’s impact was evident in the increased viewership and interest in the WNBA, with the draft in which she was selected first overall by the Indiana Fever drawing the most viewers in WNBA draft history. She helped the league draw record TV audiences, with the top 15 most-watched regular-season games all featuring Clark. Her contributions on the court helped turn the Indiana Fever’s season around, with the team going on a winning streak and eventually clinching a playoff spot. Despite a slow start, Clark’s performance improved over the course of the season, with impressive scoring and assist numbers that led the WNBA.
Over a 19-game stretch, Clark averaged 21.9 points and 10.5 assists, with a record-breaking 19 assists in a single game against the Dallas Wings. She finished the season with averages of 19.2 points, 8.4 assists, and 5.7 rebounds, setting records for points and 3-pointers by a rookie in league history. Clark also became the first rookie to record a triple-double, achieving this feat twice during the season. A YouGov study ranked Clark among the most popular basketball players in the world, alongside athletes like LeBron James and Stephen Curry, with a significant following of both men and women.
The “Caitlin Clark effect” became a widely recognized term in media outlets to describe the impact Clark had on women’s basketball at both the college and professional levels. Her success in breaking records and making history as a rookie player has solidified her status as a rising star in the sport. Despite the inaccuracies in the WNBA’s social media post celebrating her achievements, fans continue to support and follow Clark as she prepares for a busy offseason. Clark is expected to join David Letterman for his lecture series, further solidifying her status as a prominent figure in the basketball world. Fans eagerly anticipate her future performances and contributions to the WNBA.
