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Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark made a ton of memories on her way to winning the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year award, but her signature moment from her first year might surprise many.
During an appearance on 60 Minutes, Clark told Jon Wertheim that a run-in with New York Liberty forward Jonquel Jones provided an early welcome-to-the-league moment.
“I remember we were in New York and Jonquel Jones set a good screen on me and I popped my eardrum, ruptured my eardrum just on a screen,” she said. “It was a really good screen by JJ, she’s a tremendous player, but I think that just kind of speaks to the physicality of the league. She got me in the right spot.”
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Caitlin Clark, the WNBA’s first draft pick, tells Jon Wertheim, “Ask me the hard-hitting questions.” She smiles, then shares a signature moment from the season when she ruptured her eardrum on screen. https://t.co/Xcc3OfM7Gv pic.twitter.com/5puTXvRIxp
Clark set the WNBA single-season assist record and broke the all-time rookie scoring record. She also helped the Fever make their first playoff appearance since 2016, though they lost to the Connecticut Sun in the first round.
Still, the 22-year-old said the screen Jones made a lasting impression on her that she will carry throughout her career.
“It’s a good story, I think it’s something that I’ll always remember coming into this league,” she said. When asked how it compares to her triple-doubles or record-breaking moments, she said, “That’s probably more memorable, honestly.”
