Time Magazine has officially named Caitlin Clark as its Athlete of the Year for 2024, honoring the basketball sensation for her groundbreaking achievements. Clark’s remarkable year has captivated fans and made history, marking her as one of the most influential figures in sports. From record-breaking milestones to cultural impact, Clark’s rise to the top has sparked widespread excitement.
Here’s how Caitlin Clark made history and became the Time Magazine’s Athlete of the Year 2024.
Time Magazine reveals Caitlin Clark as 2024 Athlete of the Year
Caitlin Clark has been named Time Magazine’s 2024 Athlete of the Year, a recognition of her extraordinary rise in the world of basketball. In her debut WNBA season, the former NCAA superstar quickly made her mark, averaging 19.2 points, 8.4 assists, and 5.7 rebounds. She also set multiple WNBA records. This includes the most assists in a single season and the most three-pointers by a rookie. (via Sports Illustrated)
Before joining the WNBA, Clark made history at the college level. In February, she shattered the NCAA Division 1 women’s basketball scoring record. She even surpassed even Hall of Famer Pete Maravich’s all-time mark. Her NCAA championship game between Iowa and South Carolina garnered 18.9 million viewers, making it the second most-watched women’s sporting event in U.S. television history. (via Time Magazine)
Clark’s success didn’t stop there. She went on to sign a $28 million endorsement deal with Nike, the largest ever for a female basketball player. She also helped drive the WNBA’s highest-ever television viewership, contributing to a 54 million strong audience during the regular season. In her first WNBA season, Clark broke rookie records for both points and assists, earning her the title of Rookie of the Year.
Describing her breakthrough year, Clark simply calls it “historic.” She said, “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.”
