Caitlin Clark Becomes First Rookie to Make WNBA's First Team in 16 Years

Mar. 15, 2025

Caitlin Clark.Photo:Michael Hickey/Getty

Michael Hickey/Getty

Caitlin Clarkis continuing to make significant strides in the WNBA even though her first season is officially over.On Wednesday, Oct. 16, the Indiana Fever star was named to the All-WNBA first team — the first time a rookie has achieved the feat sinceCandace Parkerin 2008.Clark is only the fifth rookie to make the team since 2000.Sue Birdand Tamika Catchings grabbed the honors in 2002 andDiana Taurasimade the team in 2004.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Clark received 52 first-team votes out of 67,according to ESPN. She joins Catchings, a former Fever star, as the only players in franchise history to be selected to the team.Earlier this month, Clark was named the WNBA Rookie of the Year. To celebrate the big news, the Fever shared avideoof the moment when Clark — who wasselected first overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft— learned she nabbed the honor.WNBA commissionerCathy Engelbertdelivered the news to Clark and her teammates over the phone, telling her, “It feels like just yesterday that I called your name to the stage as the number one pick in this year’s draft.“Stephen Gosling/NBAE via GettyEngelbert also recalled Clark holding her Indiana Fever jersey “for the first time” at the draft in April and said Clark has had a “record-breaking season” in her rookie year.Clark started all 40 games for Indiana in her rookie season, averaging 19.2 points, 8.4 assists (a WNBA high), 5.7 rebounds and 1.33 steals. She led the rookie class in assists, points, steals and minutes played this season. She also had the league’s second-highest percentage in free throw shooting with 90.6% accuracy.Clark also set a league record for most assists in a single record with 337, and was selected to the 2024 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game.

Caitlin Clarkis continuing to make significant strides in the WNBA even though her first season is officially over.

On Wednesday, Oct. 16, the Indiana Fever star was named to the All-WNBA first team — the first time a rookie has achieved the feat sinceCandace Parkerin 2008.

Clark is only the fifth rookie to make the team since 2000.Sue Birdand Tamika Catchings grabbed the honors in 2002 andDiana Taurasimade the team in 2004.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Clark received 52 first-team votes out of 67,according to ESPN. She joins Catchings, a former Fever star, as the only players in franchise history to be selected to the team.

Earlier this month, Clark was named the WNBA Rookie of the Year. To celebrate the big news, the Fever shared avideoof the moment when Clark — who wasselected first overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft— learned she nabbed the honor.

WNBA commissionerCathy Engelbertdelivered the news to Clark and her teammates over the phone, telling her, “It feels like just yesterday that I called your name to the stage as the number one pick in this year’s draft.”

Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty

Engelbert also recalled Clark holding her Indiana Fever jersey “for the first time” at the draft in April and said Clark has had a “record-breaking season” in her rookie year.

Clark started all 40 games for Indiana in her rookie season, averaging 19.2 points, 8.4 assists (a WNBA high), 5.7 rebounds and 1.33 steals. She led the rookie class in assists, points, steals and minutes played this season. She also had the league’s second-highest percentage in free throw shooting with 90.6% accuracy.

Clark also set a league record for most assists in a single record with 337, and was selected to the 2024 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game.

source: people.com