WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes shared her thoughts on the recent announcement of Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark being named TIME’s Athlete of the Year. Swoopes took the opportunity to raise questions about the selection process and criteria for giving Clark this prestigious recognition.
Speaking on ‘Gil’s Arena’, Swoopes expressed her curiosity about who the other candidates were and acknowledged the significance of Clark being the first WNBA player to win the award. She mentioned, “My question is, like the criteria, is it based on her performance on the court? Which, yeah, she had a great year, or is it more about the impact that she had on the game this season?”
TIME explained in their article that they considered both Clark’s on-court performance and her impact on raising the profile of women’s basketball in their decision-making process.
Caitlin Clark attends the 2024 A Year In TIME dinner (Jason Mendez/Getty Images)
Clark not only won the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year award but also earned a spot on the All-WNBA First Team, leading in assists and three-point shooting. Her influence extended beyond the court, contributing to the growth of the WNBA’s popularity.
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Clark is the third woman to win Time’s Athlete of the Year
Clark joins Megan Rapinoe (2019) and Simone Biles (2021) as the third woman to receive the award. She follows Lionel Messi, who won the title in 2023 after his move to the MLS.
At just 22 years old, Clark is the youngest recipient of the award. Despite not participating in the Olympics or winning a championship, she made a significant impact and sparked positive change in women’s sports, solidifying her as one of the most talked-about athletes in the US.
