There’s no denying that Indiana Fever standout Caitlin Clark is a talent for a generation even though she might be one of the WNBA’s most divisive players this season.
According to StatMamba and the Fever organization, Clark became the first WNBA rookie in league history to record a triple double. She also went about breaking a few more records with the Fever’s game against the Phoenix Mercury on Friday.
Caitlin Clark made history by being the first WNBA rookie to record at least 400 points, 150 assists, and 100 rebounds in a single season during the Fever’s game against the Mercury.
Moreover, she broke the franchise record for the most assists in a single quarter for Fever. In the first quarter, she finished with seven assists, and by the half, she had nine.
The Fever also managed to win, with a score of 95-86. With 20 points, 6 rebounds, 13 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocked shots, Clark had a strong game. She made 2-of-7 shots from three-point range, 2-of-2 free-throw attempts, and 8-0f-16 field goals. In the 2024 WNBA Draft, Clark was selected by the Fever as the first overall pick.
After a record-breaking college season in which she became the NCAA’s All-Time leading scorer, her standing as the top pick was never in question. She spent four seasons as an Iowa player and rose to prominence as one of the nation’s most admired athletes.
Caitlin Clark strengthens WNBA Rookie of the Year candidacy
Caitlin Clark was the clear favorite to win the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award heading into the 2024 campaign. Overall, this has been a good rookie class with noteworthy seasons from players like Kamilla Cardoso of the Chicago Sky, Aaliyah Edwards of the Washington Mystics, and Rickea Jackson of the Los Angeles Sparks.
However, Angel Reese of the Sky is a contender against Clark in the Rookie of the Year competition. Reese has been dominating the season and making a strong case for herself to be named the best rookie.
Under new head coach Teresa Weatherspoon, the youthful Sky team is vying for a postseason spot, and Reese has been a vital member of that team.
In addition, Reese has been busy shattering her own WNBA records. Reese recently passed future Hall of Famer Candace Parker in the league record for the most consecutive double-doubles.
In her first 22 games, she also completed with 16 double-doubles. Reese and Clark were both selected for the WNBA All-Star Team. When both were left off the Olympic roster, there was a lot of discussion about it.
Although both players have downplayed the perceived rivalry at times, there has always been a rivalry between them going back to their undergraduate years.
When Reese and the LSU Tigers defeated Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes to win the NCAA championship in 2023, the two teams squared off as opponents.
Both teams faced off again the next season, this time in the Elite Eight, with Iowa coming out on top. This season, the Sky and Fever have faced off three times, with the Fever coming out on top two times.
After the Olympic break, on August 30, they will play their final regular season match. Both Clark and Reese are making this one of the more competitive WNBA Rookie of the Year competitions in a while with every game that goes by.
