Former 2x NBA champion puts Caitlin Clark in 'special few' for breaking another WNBA record

With Indiana Fever rookie sensation Caitlin Clark rewriting the WNBA record for assists by a first-year player on Sunday, two-time NBA champion Isiah Thomas couldn't help but rave about it.

The top overall pick at this year's WNBA Draft dished out nine assists in a 92-75 victory over the Seattle Storm at home to take her total to 232 assists, surpassing the previous record of 224 set in 1998 by the Sacramento Monarchs' Ticha Penicheiro.

Thomas, who won back-to-back NBA titles with the Detroit Pistons in 1989 and 1990, highlighted the impressive feat Caitlin Clark achieved. He said that what makes it more special is the fact that the former Iowa standout is doing her fair share of scoring for her team apart from facilitating.

'Zeke' wrote on X, formerly Twitter:

"Let it be known that only a special few in our game's history can score while assisting teammates."

Apart from nine assists in their victory over the Storm, Cailtin Clark also had 23 points, five rebounds and two blocks in 36 minutes of play.

Next on Clark's sights is breaking the most assists in a season, 316 set last year by Alyssa Thomas of the Connecticut Sun. She has 12 games remaining to surpass the record, which should be reachable if she maintains her league-leading per game average of 8.3 assists.

Apart from the rookie assist record, the Fever guard also is the fastest first-year player to reach 100 career points and 50 assists in WNBA history. She became the first rookie to record 30 points, five rebounds, five assists, three steals and three blocks in a game against the LA Sparks on May 29.

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Caitlin Clark proud of latest WNBA rookie record

Caitlin Clark is proud of her latest WNBA rookie achievement, saying that it's a product of the work she has put in as a pro and her goal of helping her teammates to be better.

The Iowa Hawkeye legend reached 232 dimes in 28 games, while former Sacramento Monarchs star guard Penicheiro registered 224 in 30 outings. Following her latest achievement, Caitlin Clark shared her thoughts on setting another record (via ESPN):

"If you'd told me I was going to lead the league in assists coming in here in my rookie season, I would probably have told you that you were lying.

"But I take a lot of pride in that. I want to set my teammates up first and foremost, because that's going to help you have the most successful team."

The win over the Storm was the second straight for the Fever (13-15) following the Olympic break. For the season, Clark is averaging 17.6 points, 8.3 assists, 5.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 27 games.