After dominating women’s college basketball, Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark is now emerging as the league’s most popular player. Off the court, the rookie point guard still has the level of popularity, as evidenced by the WNBA’s Kids Day she participated in.
The WNBA is midway through the season with several compelling storylines. Clark has been the league’s biggest draw, captivating audiences with her prodigious playmaking ability. She recently became the first rookie to record a triple-double, showcasing her impressive all-around game. However, Clark has also struggled with turnovers and inconsistent shooting, leading some to question whether she is truly deserving of the award.
In contrast, Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese has been a dominant force, particularly on the glass. Reese is averaging a double-double and has set a rookie record with 15 consecutive double-doubles. Her elite rebounding numbers and overall impact have made her a strong contender for Rookie of the Year. Some argue that Reese’s success is inflated by her tendency to clean up her own misses, though her consistency and two-way contributions remain impressive.
While Clark’s stardom and highlight-reel plays have garnered attention, Reese’s sustained excellence and statistical dominance may make her the more deserving rookie at this stage of the season. The race remains open, but Reese appears to have a strong case to claim the award.
Even though the ROTY race is slowly closing in for Clark, the Indiana Fever star can still electrify a crowd on and off the court. Proof of that was when the former Iowa Hawkeyes star made her presence felt during WNBA’s Kids Day. In a video shared by Matthew Byrne on X, the point guard shared her thoughts on meeting her young fans.
Caitlin Clark on her interactions with younger fans this season, as today is Kids Day: “Yeah, it’s a fun day. Obviously it’s an early tip on a Wednesday, it’s kind of weird. But it makes for a special memory for them. Hopefully this is something they can remember…”
Full clip: pic.twitter.com/eTBYOl29UX
— Matthew Byrne (@MatthewByrne1) July 10, 2024
This season, Clark is averaging 16.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, 7.6 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. Apart from putting up those numbers on a nightly basis, the Fever star is also using her popularity in increasing the reach and influence of the women’s league.
At 22 years old, Clark is poised to have a fruitful career ahead of her as a pro. And with her popularity extending towards the next generation of fans, it’s certain that the point guard’s star is just going to get brighter from this point on.
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