In 2024, Caitlin Clark became the first WNBA player ever to be named TIME’s Athlete of the Year, joining only one other woman—Simone Biles—in receiving this honor. This was more than a personal milestone; it was a breakthrough moment for women’s basketball, pushing the league and the sport into unprecedented levels of visibility.
Clark’s journey to becoming a household name began at the University of Iowa, where she established herself as one of the most dominant collegiate players in history. By the end of her NCAA career, she held the title of all-time leading scorer in Division I basketball, surpassing legends like Pete Maravich and Kelsey Plum. Her four years at Iowa were filled with accolades—multiple National Player of the Year honors, numerous All-American selections, and a record-shattering performance that consistently drew national attention.
Her impact went far beyond the court. The phenomenon known as the “Caitlin Clark Effect” became shorthand for the massive spikes in television viewership and fan engagement she generated. The 2024 NCAA Women’s Final, featuring Clark, drew 18.9 million viewers—making it the most-watched women’s college basketball game in history and surpassing that year’s men’s championship game. The momentum carried into the WNBA, where her debut with the Indiana Fever became the most-watched regular-season WNBA game since 2002. Even the WNBA Draft, in which she was the No. 1 overall pick, broke audience records.
Her rookie season was nothing short of historic. Clark not only led the Fever to their first playoff appearance since 2016 but also earned WNBA Rookie of the Year honors, a spot on the All-WNBA First Team, and set new single-season and single-game assist records. She managed to balance scoring brilliance with elite playmaking, redefining what a rookie could accomplish in the league.
But becoming the face of a sport brought complexities. Clark has spoken candidly about the intense scrutiny she faces, calling herself “the most controversial person” not because of her actions, but because of the endless narratives surrounding her. She has acknowledged the privilege of her platform, noting that her whiteness gave her opportunities and media visibility that many of the league’s foundational Black athletes were never afforded. She has expressed a desire to use her influence to uplift and invest in those athletes, advocating for broader recognition and equity within the sport.
Not everyone welcomed her meteoric rise without critique. Sheila Johnson, managing partner of the Washington Mystics, publicly criticized TIME’s focus on Clark, suggesting it overshadowed the contributions of other elite players across the WNBA. Yet statistics told a compelling counter-story—31% of the Mystics’ total home attendance for the 2024 season came from just two games against the Fever, a testament to the undeniable draw Clark brings to every arena she steps into.
Beyond her influence on the court and at the box office, Clark has also shown a commitment to giving back. In 2023, she launched the Caitlin Clark Foundation, focused on supporting youth through initiatives in education, nutrition, and sports access. It’s a sign that she’s thinking about her legacy in terms far beyond points, assists, and championships.
As she prepares for her second WNBA season in 2025, expectations are immense. Clark’s rookie year set a new benchmark for both performance and cultural impact. She has helped usher in a new era for women’s basketball, one in which higher viewership, better compensation, and greater respect are becoming part of the conversation.
Her rise in 2024 was not just about breaking records—it was about shifting the trajectory of an entire sport. She has drawn millions of new fans to women’s basketball, challenged the narratives that have long defined it, and demonstrated that one player’s combination of talent, charisma, and visibility can accelerate change. That’s why TIME’s Athlete of the Year is more than a personal accolade for Caitlin Clark—it’s a turning point for the game itself.
