Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark has been named the Associated Press’ Female Athlete of the Year, showcasing the significant strides women’s sports have made. Her acknowledgment highlighted the impact she has had on women’s hoops, from her time at the University of Iowa to her success as a rookie in the WNBA with the Indiana Fever.
Clark’s influence has sparked a newfound interest in women’s basketball, with packed arenas and millions of TV viewers following her rise to superstardom. This attention has also benefitted other women’s sports, bringing them into the limelight as well.
Reflecting on the increased appreciation for women’s sports, Clark mentioned in an interview with AP News how monumental the shift has been, especially with the historic viewership numbers for women’s basketball this year.
After a successful final year in college, Clark brought her talents to the WNBA, where she continued to draw massive crowds and increase TV viewership. Her rookie season stats were impressive, earning her accolades such as Rookie of the Year and an All-Star selection.
Caitlin Clark Receives AP’s Female Athlete of the Year
Caitlin Clark expressed her gratitude for being named the AP Female Athlete of the Year, recognizing the positive changes happening in women’s sports. She emphasized the importance of honoring those who paved the way for her success in basketball.
In receiving the award, Clark received 35 votes from a panel of sports journalists, surpassing other notable female athletes like Simone Biles and Imane Khelif. The Male Athlete of the Year was awarded to Shohei Ohtani.
Edited by Veer Badani