Forbes Editor unpacks Caitlin Clark's rise with Dawn Staley reference as Fever star debuts on World’s Most Powerful Women list

Caitlin Clark’s historical 2024 season has gained her impressive recognition. On Tuesday, TIME Magazine named her the Athlete of the Year. Less than 24 hours later, Forbes included the Indiana Fever star in its list of “The World’s Most Powerful Women.”

Forbes editor Maggie McGrath had this to say about the reason Clark made it to the list:

“Everyone from Dawn Staley to analysts will say, ‘Caitlin Clark is a lightning rod. She brought more attention to the fact that women are playing at a high level. … She stands as an example for what I think, aside from the elections, has been the other dominant storyline of the year, which is the power of female athletes.”

Staley had a front-row ticket to Clark’s exploits in the former Iowa superstar’s final season in college. South Carolina, coached by the WNBA legend, beat the Hawkeyes 87-75 for the championship. Clark failed to lead her team to the title but it did not diminish her historically-great year.

Clark became the career all-time points leader in the NCAA Division 1 competition in men’s and women’s categories. She was also the biggest draw that pushed attendance and viewership levels to incredible heights. 18.7 million people watched the Hawkeyes-Gamecocks championship game, a figure that beat the men’s for the first time in college basketball history.

The Des Moines, Iowa native became the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA draft and set multiple franchise and league records. She was a near-unanimous Rookie of the Year award winner and placed fourth in the MVP race.

Forbes put her No. 100 on its list to become the first basketball player ever to earn the recognition.

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Dawn Staley recognized Caitlin Clark’s impact before the Iowa legend turned pro

After the Gamecocks beat the Hawkeyes, Dawn Staley said this after her team received the championship trophy:

"I want to personally thank Caitlin Clark for lifting up our sport. She carried a heavy load for our sport and it just is not gonna stop here on the collegiate tour.

"But when she is the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft, she's gonna lift that league up as well. So, Caitlin Clark, if you're out there, you are one of the GOATs of our game. We appreciate you."

When Maggie McGrath wrote the Forbes piece about Caitlin Clark, she asked Staley to comment on the WNBA All-Star. South Carolina’s coach said the Fever guard was “a unifier” who “brought a different set of eyeballs to our game.”

Clark is the only one under 35 on the Forbes list. Staley’s prediction came true for the Fever star. The 22-year-old point guard has a big chance to move up the ladder when the new list comes out next year.