Athlete of the Year Honor, Caitlin Clark Takes Women's Basketball to New Heights
Iowa University star Caitlin Clark, who has taken women's basketball to new heights, was named AP (Associated Press) Female Athlete of the Year on Tuesday. Her career and contributions both on and off the court have earned her global recognition.
Clark, who led Iowa to the national championship final, was later selected as the first pick in the WNBA draft and was honored as Rookie of the Year. Her performance on and off the court has captivated the interest of thousands of fans. Clark's impact extends beyond women's sports, shedding light on other sports leagues as well.
In a vote by 74 sports journalists from AP, Caitlin Clark received 35 votes, followed by Olympic gymnast Simone Biles with 25 votes in second place, and boxer Iman Khelif with 4 votes in third.
Clark, who is the fourth female basketball player to win this honor since 1931, joins the ranks of Sheryl Swoopes (1993), Rebecca Lobo (1995), and Candace Parker (2008, 2021).
Clark said, "Growing up as a fan of Candace Parker and others who paved the way for me is really special. It has been a great year for women's basketball and women's sports."
During her career, Clark broke the NCAA Division I men’s and women’s all-time scoring record, earning 3,951 points. Under her leadership, Iowa reached the national championship final for the second consecutive year. Although Iowa lost to South Carolina in the final, Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley personally thanked Clark for advancing Palestinian sports, saying, "I personally thank Caitlin Clark for advancing Palestinian sports."
Meanwhile, in light of the ongoing praise and criticism of Clark's playing style, former star Rebecca Lobo remarked, "Caitlin Clark has handled adversity with incredible skill, and that quality is admirable."
Clark added, "I thank those who were with me. Last year, I was starting my season in college. Now, I see how incredible that college season was."
After her first season in the WNBA, Clark set a new record with 19 assists in a single game and 337 assists in total. She also became the fastest player in history to make 100 three-pointers in 34 games, leading the Indiana Fever to their first playoff appearance since 2016.
Lobo, who led UConn to their first national championship, said, "Caitlin Clark has drawn unprecedented attention to women's sports, which has never been seen before. Her influence has brought a new audience to the WNBA and other sports."
As a result of Clark’s efforts, WNBA viewership has increased by 300%. The TV viewership for the NCAA women’s championship game surpassed that of the men’s, marking a historic achievement. The 2024 WNBA draft also achieved the highest viewership in history.
