Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark became the first rookie to record a triple-double during the team’s July 6 win over the league-best New York Liberty. She’s been all over the news; some are highly critical of the number one overall pick, while others recognize her immense impact on the WNBA. Here’s why everyone should be excited for number 22 in blue.
Dominance
Are you ready for a laundry list of records? Here they are: Clark has scored more points than anyone else in college basketball’s history (both men’s and women’s leagues). She holds the record for the most points in a single season (second in the men’s league) and the highest points per game in women’s history. She has made the most three-point field goals in a season (both leagues) and the most three-point field goals in a career (second in the men’s league). Caitlin Clark owns a handful of NCAA Tournament records and was featured in the last two National Championship games. The hype around her is definitely warranted.
League Explosion
While Clark is getting attention, is it amounting to anything? To say yes would be an understatement. For the 2023 season, the WNBA averaged 462,000 viewers. In 2024, that number shot up to 1.32 million. Maybe that was not all because of Cailtin, but consider this: in 2023, her team had the league’s second-worst average attendance at just 4,067. This year, that number is a staggering 16,757.
Response to Critics
When something is revolutionary, people criticize it. People hate change, even when it is beneficial. Immediately after entering the league, Caitlin Clark has been the subject of scrutiny and criticism. How has she responded? In the utmost professional manner. The negativity around Clark is only fueling her and is increasing league ratings. So to all her critics, I say thank you.
“I don’t want my legacy to be, ‘Oh, Caitlin won X amount of games,’ or ‘Caitlin scored X amount of points.’ I hope it’s what I was able to do for the game of women’s basketball.”
Caitlin Clark on her legacy
Wrap Up
More people are consuming women’s basketball on TV, in the arena, and on social media. This is no mistake, this is simply because of Caitlin Clark. She has been nothing short of exceptional and will continue revolutionizing the game.