5 reasons why Caitlin Clark is the greatest NBA/WNBA rookie ever

Ever since getting drafted as the number one overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, Caitlin Clark has made a name for herself. She is arguably having the best rookie season in the history of the league. Clark has turned a bottom-table Indiana Fever into a playoff competition since the Olympics break.

She is the frontrunner for the Rookie of the Year award and has an outside chance of winning the league MVP award too.

5 reasons why Caitlin Clark is the greatest NBA/WNBA rookie

5. Indiana Fever positioned well to make the playoff after eight years

A rookie changing the tide of a team after his/her arrival is not an unseen scenario in the NBA/WNBA. In the past, stars like Michael Jordan and LeBron James have taken non-contender teams and turned them into playoff competitors in their rookie years.

However, it is not a feat that should go unrecognized just because it has been done a few times in the past.

The Indiana Fever were 2-9 to start this season, arguably one of the worst starts to a season in the franchise's history. However, halfway through the season, the Fever turned the tide and became a postseason contender, with them currently occupying the sixth spot in the WNBA standings following their 100-81 win against the Chicago Sky.

4. Recognizing her role in her team

Many rookies struggle to find footing in a professional league in their rookie years. It takes two, three, or even five years for some talents to blossom into their prime and deliver on the court to their maximum potential. However, Caitlin Clark has adapted and recognized her role in her team right away.

At the start of the season, Fever ran their attack through Clark and tried to set her up as the person finishing the offensive attacks in most offensive plays. However, it wasn't a successful tactic, as the Fever suffered loss after loss.

Midway through the season, Clark transitioned to playing as a true floor general, dictating plays and making use of her extraordinary passing abilities.

The season changed for the Fever from that moment. Clark efficiently set up her teammates and ran the offense through different players. This in turn made her peers like Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston focus on scoring and use their skills in the best way.

3. Got over immense hate and scrutiny

One of the most impressive features of Caitlin Clark is her ability to handle the hate and scrutiny directed towards her way. Where most veterans struggle to take on the negativity directed towards them, Clark handled matters like a professional.

She has been a hot topic in the basketball world and many people have expressed their views on the rookie. Not all views are positive and supportive but Clark's unbothered attitude towards the negativity is an admirable feat that sets her apart from the rest of her peers.

2. Breaking and setting records in her rookie season

Caitlin Clark has shown no signs of slowing down ever since stepping foot in the WNBA. She broke several records in her rookie season.

Against the Connecticut Sun on Wednesday, Clark broke the record for the most three-pointers set by a rookie in a single season. Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard held the record previously. Clark scored her 86th three-pointer against the Sun to surpass Howard.

In her game against the Dallas Wing last month, Caitlin Clark broke the record for the most assists in a single game, surpassing Courtney Vandersloot's previous single-game assist record of 18 by dishing 19 assists in the 101-93 loss.

1. Bring more eyes to the WNBA and Women's basketball

The strongest reason for Caitlin Clark to be the greatest rookie ever is the growth of the WNBA and women's basketball after her arrival.

Clark's debut game brought in 2.1 million viewers, the highest in the league's history.

Moreover, the WNBA press release in June stated that the league has seen immense growth this season and has noted the highest attendance in the past 26 years.

Players like A'ja Wilson and rookie Angel Reese have also garnered a huge following.

However, there is no denying that the Indiana Fever rookie has had a big hand in boosting the league's popularity and pulling in viewers.