Caitlin Clark Named TIME Magazine’s 2024 Athlete of the Year – One America News Network
OAN Staff James Meyers
1:08 PM – Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Basketball sensation Caitlin Clark has been honored as Time Magazine’s Athlete of the Year for 2024, following her remarkable entry into the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) during her debut season.
Advertisement
Clark’s accolades include being a two-time national player of the year for the University of Iowa and the current WNBA Rookie of the Year. Prior to being selected first overall by the Indiana Fever, she set numerous scoring records in college basketball.
During her final college game, the national championship matchup between Iowa and South Carolina, she broke records for U.S. television viewership of a women’s sporting event.
Moreover, games featuring the Fever have significantly improved WNBA viewing statistics, and overall attendance across the league surged by 48% compared to 2023. Out of the top 35 WNBA games with the highest attendance, Caitlin Clark and the Fever participated in 31.
“I’ve been able to captivate so many people that have never watched women’s sports, let alone women’s basketball, and turn them into fans,” Clark shared with TIME.
“People are invested in the game, they love the game, and that’s what makes it so fun for me,” she added. “These fans aren’t supporting women’s sports just to check a box. It’s becoming the new norm.”
Clark’s stellar year also contributed to the WNBA being recognized as the fastest growing brand of 2024, leading her to secure a record-breaking $28 million shoe deal with Nike.
She also spoke about her relationship with Chicago Sky star Angel Reese, addressing the ring-taunting controversy from the 2023 national championship game, stating it was more drama than what was necessary.
“I don’t understand that at all,” Clark remarked. “We’re not best friends, by any means, but we respect each other. Yes, we have had intense matchups. But when has she ever guarded me? And when have I guarded her?”
Clark further noted, “The only thing people fixated on was this so-called controversy that was largely fabricated, which has persisted ever since.”
The all-time college basketball scoring leader was omitted from the U.S. women’s basketball national team for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games after a challenging first half of the season with her Fever team, which went 3-9. Missing the Olympic Games, where the U.S. narrowly won gold against host nation France, “will definitely motivate me throughout my career,” remarked Clark.
Friends and teammates have highlighted Clark’s charm and humor that energizes the team dynamic.
The star is no stranger to the limelight; her former Fever teammate Temi Fagbenle commented on a lighthearted moment this year when Clark was required to sing “Happy Birthday” to her teammates as part of her rookie duties.
“She wouldn’t just sing a straightforward happy birthday,” Fagbenle explained. “It became a grand performance. She cherishes these moments.”
Meanwhile, Clark is set on making the Olympic team for the Los Angeles games in 2028. She stated that achieving a spot on the Olympic lineup “is a huge, huge goal” for her, especially on home soil.
Stay updated! Get breaking news alerts directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts
Advertisements below
