BACKPanini-exclusive Athlete Caitlin Clark Named 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year
By Kara Gates
Staff Writer
We’d be lying if we said we didn’t have “Caitlin Clark wins Rookie of the Year” on our bingo cards for the 2024 WNBA season. Given the way she completely demolished just about every record in her path, it was pretty much a guarantee her historic rookie campaign would end with the most coveted award amongst newcomers. The voters seemed to agree: Clark earned 66 of the 67 votes.
All of the marks Clark broke in 2024 are almost too many to list. Not to worry, though: We’ll be sure to highlight all the extra impressive ones.
She broke the league’s single-season assist record (337), the rookie record for 3-pointers (122) and scored the most points by a rookie (769), averaging 19.2 points. Her 19 assists against Dallas on July 17 set a WNBA record, and she became the first rookie in league history to record a triple-double when she notched 19 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds against New York on July 6. And she did it twice.
“I am incredibly honored to be named Rookie of the Year, but more than that, I am grateful to everyone that supported me throughout this past season — my family and friends, my teammates, the Fever organization and everyone that cheered us on all season. I am so proud of what we accomplished and so excited for what the future holds,” Clark said in a statement.
The superstar proved to be a particularly effective part of the Fever’s roster, leading the team to its first 20-win season since 2015 and its first playoff appearance since 2016. During the postseason, Clark became the second WNBA rookie to record 20-plus points, five-plus assists and five-plus rebounds in a game and the second player between both the WNBA and the NBA to ever notch 18.0 points, 8.5 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.0 blocks in their first playoff series.
“The fun part is I feel like I’m just scratching the surface,” Clark said. “I know I want to help this franchise get even better, help my teammates get even better, be better for my teammates. I know there’s a lot of room for me to continue to improve, so that’s what excites me the most.”
All of this to say, Clark was the natural choice for Rookie of the Year honors. She’s also the natural choice to add to your trading card collection.
Caitlin Clark autographed trading cards are exclusive to Panini America, and her unique blaster box has been selling out across both retailers and our website. Keep up to date with the Clark hype by grabbing her Panini Instant Rookie Card that includes a unique 1/1 Dutch Auction. Caitlin is the only female athlete to have her own trading card set, which has been proudly manufactured by Panini America.
“Generational talent” is a phrase that isn’t always used to its fullest ability. Clark, however, fully encompasses its meaning as the biggest name currently in the WNBA. The league’s Rookie of the Year is sure to continue shocking, aweing and astonishing as she forges on with her historic hoops career.
This is just the beginning, folks.
