Caitlin Clark named Time Magazine's Athlete of the Year

Clark, 23, was selected No. 1 overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft and quickly established herself as one of the league’s brightest stars. In her first season, she set a WNBA rookie record with 769 points and led the league with 337 assists, breaking the all-time record for most assists in a single season. Clark also made the most three-pointers by a rookie, showcasing her scoring versatility. Her accomplishments earned her spots on the WNBA All-Star Team, All-WNBA First Team, and WNBA All-Rookie Team.

Her impact extended beyond her rookie season. In February, Clark became the NCAA Division 1 women’s basketball all-time leading scorer, surpassing 3,800 career points. She also broke Pete Maravich’s long-standing all-time scoring record, further cementing her place in basketball history. The 2023 NCAA championship game, featuring Clark and Iowa against South Carolina, drew 18.9 million viewers, making it the second-most watched women’s sporting event in U.S. TV history, behind only the Olympics.

Off the court, Clark made history with a reported $28 million endorsement deal with Nike, the largest ever for a women’s basketball player. Her success helped propel the WNBA to new heights, with the 2024 season attracting a record 54 million unique viewers and boosting league attendance by 48%.

Time’s selection of Clark highlights not just her on-court achievements but her growing influence as a global sports icon. With her record-breaking performances and off-court impact, Clark continues to inspire a new generation of athletes and fans.