After tying the WNBA rookie record for 3-pointers made in a game with seven of her own, Caitlin Clark showed no mercy to the 20,000 spectators in Capital One Arena on a Friday in June. She also shot her way to her second 30-point night in the WNBA. Even after she was left off of Team USA’s selection for the Olympics in Paris this summer, she refused to back down from the online debate that followed.
A WNBA All-Star, Clark never gives up and doesn’t back down from a challenge. She also won’t allow her argument go unheard.
In a league replete with elite scorers, Clark’s 16.1 points per game place her 17th overall. She has constantly demonstrated her ability to score goals, and she consistently draws the strongest defense on the other team. 14 past All-Defensive players have already faced up against Clark in her first 15 WNBA games.
The majority of the time, as a competitor, you have no idea who is watching you, according to Clark. “..Any person can be attacked. If someone exceptional is watching out for you, you shouldn’t worry too much. You only want to rule and have that mentality, regardless of who is across from you.
She is the target of unparalleled defensive attention from opponents, who frequently face-guard her for the whole 94 feet of the floor. As a result, Clark ranks only behind WNBA Champion Natasha Cloud, 2024 Olympian Jackie Young, and MVP candidate Alyssa Thomas in terms of nightly average in the league, with 6.2 assists per game. Throughout the whole of her first WNBA season, she has maintained a top-five ranking on the league-wide assist list.
Playmaking prowess and explosive 3-point shooting made Clark a celebrated rookie when she started her professional career. She has the most turnovers per game in the WNBA (5.5) in spite of everything.
But this shouldn’t keep her off of the ballot for the All-Star team.
The inability to develop on-court connection with her teammates during her inexperienced point guard rookie season is evident in her turnover rate. The busy early season schedule for the Indiana Fever has delayed the start of regular, high-intensity practice sessions. Additionally, despite not truly practicing, Indiana has faced several of the league’s top teams.
Clark, who pulls down 5.1 rebounds per game, is among the WNBA’s top five rebounders. She is only behind 2023 All-Star Jewell Loyd, Chicago Sky guard Marina Mabrey, and eight-year WNBA veteran Courtney Williams.
Clark’s statistics are constantly comparable to those of the WNBA’s enduring players and are found close to the top of the league’s rankings. Her brilliance this month should secure her position on the All-Star squad at the end of June. She is without a doubt one of the best and most exciting guards in the game.
Her performance on Sunday against the Chicago Sky cemented Clark’s status as one of the league’s greatest rookie players ever. She is nothing short of historic. 200 points, 75 rebounds, and 75 assists is a record for the fastest rookie in WNBA history. Additionally, she has five games of 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists through just 15 games. With six during the whole season, only former Fever player Tamika Catchings had more. There are 25 games remaining in the regular season for Indiana, so Clark is primed to smash that record.
Since Clark has had such a successful early career and has consistently outperformed more seasoned WNBA players, her argument for being named a 2024 WNBA All-Star is almost certain. Her name appears at the top of the opponent’s scouting report every night, and she is not only a top-notch rookie. It’s incredible how much work Clark can put out while getting so much attention both on and off the court.
As the Fever finish their June schedule, she’ll aim to build on her incredible rookie campaign and compete for a position on the WNBA All-Star roster. As the Fever look to sustain momentum during a more relaxed portion of the schedule, Clark, who is currently 5-10 overall and 5-5 in their last 10 games, is leading Indiana’s recent hot streak.
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