It is inevitable that Caitlin Clark will be named the WNBA’s Rookie of the Year. The Indiana Fever point guard, who was selected first overall in 2024 after a difficult debut, has adjusted well to the demanding nature of the NBA. Her adaptability has been what’s most impressive. The defensive pressure Clark experiences every night in the WNBA has forced her to approach her game from a different angle, and she has adapted to the challenge after years as the offensive anchor at the University of Iowa.
The first thing that becomes apparent when examining Clark’s WNBA statistics is that she is making fewer of her trademark absurd 3-pointers. During the 2023–24 NCAA season, Clark tried 13.6 3-pointers a game and made 5.2 of them for an accuracy percentage of 37.8%. She is attempting 8.7 3-pointers per game in her debut WNBA season, yet she is still making 34% of them (3.0 a game). With 98 3-pointers made this season, she also leads the WNBA in that category.
Teams are purposefully defending her on the perimeter, which is resulting in her shooting less shots. “Defend Clark threes” is probably the first thing that appears in any scouting report on the Fever, bolded and large. Although many novice players might find that frustrating, Clark has utilised this to strengthen other aspects of her game. As a result, a rookie has demonstrated amazing playmaking and facilitation skills.
The records on their own speak volumes. At 276 (and counting), Clark has now surpassed the WNBA rookie record for assists in a season. With 8.4 assists per game, she leads the WNBA overall and would set another rookie record if she maintains that pace. In addition, she provides 11.9 assists for every 100 team possessions, and 39% of the shots that Clark assists her teammates with are made by them. When Clark gave up 19 assists in a single game against the Dallas Wings in July, she broke the record.
The statistics are telling. Clark has set a new WNBA rookie record for assists in a season with 276 (and still counting), and she leads the league with an impressive average of 8.4 assists per game, which could also establish a rookie record if she maintains it. She contributes 11.9 assists for every 100 team possessions, and her assists have resulted in her teammates making 39% of their shots. In July, she set the record for the most assists in a single game, delivering 19 against the Dallas Wings.
WNBA fans anticipated that Clark would be a formidable player right from her entry into the league. Her exceptional shooting skills are remarkable, but her engaging personality on the court and ability to energize the crowd also play a role. Although she often facilitated for her Iowa teams, she didn’t have to rely on that as much. Many highlight reels showcase her effortlessly shooting from long range before opponents could even organize their defense. In contrast, she frequently faces a full-court press in the WNBA.
Her adaptations have yielded encouraging outcomes for the Fever. With a player like Aliyah Boston in the frontcourt, passing into the paint is an effective strategy to exploit the opposing defense. Lexie Hull’s recent improvement in shooting from the wing and Kelsey Mitchell’s veteran skills and driving ability have also contributed positively.
Indiana has not reached the playoffs since 2016 and has benefited from high draft picks to assemble a competitive team. Clark and Boston were the first overall picks in consecutive drafts, while NaLyssa Smith was selected second overall in 2022 and Hull sixth in the same year. Although they started off slow this season, the talent on the roster is making an impact. The Fever have recently won four straight games and six of their last seven since the Olympic break, currently placing them as the sixth seed in the WNBA playoffs.
Despite all of Clark’s achievements this season, it’s crucial to remember that she is still a rookie who had little break between Iowa’s NCAA finals run in April and the WNBA season kick-off in May. When she finally gets time to rest this offseason, she’ll have the space to improve. While her adjustments will likely be minor, she can focus on training and returning stronger for her second season. If she manages to cut down on turnovers and develop new strategies to face the toughest WNBA defenders, her career trajectory will likely continue to rise.
Expected to make her playoff debut this month, Clark’s rookie season has surpassed fan expectations: multiple records broken, maintaining her stellar college performance, developing synergy with her teammates, and achieving an All-Star selection. She is on track to win the Rookie of the Year award, regardless of the Fever’s playoff performance.
The basketball community has long recognized Clark as a generational talent. As her impressive rookie season comes to a close, the potential for her future remains limitless.
