WNBA analyst who shares accolade with Caitlin Clark says Fever rookie is "unprecedented"

Caitlin Clark added another accolade to her resume by winning the AP Female Athlete of the Year award, recognizing her historic final college season and impactful rookie year in the WNBA.

Rebecca Lobo, an ESPN analyst and winner of the AP Female Athlete of the Year in 1995 when she led UConn to the national championship, commended Clark for bringing unprecedented attention to women’s basketball.

"She’s brought unprecedented attention both in the building, but also viewership to the sport that was worthy of it but didn’t have it yet,” Lobo said (per Associated Press). “There’s never been anything like this.”

The WNBA experienced its highest total attendance in 22 years, marking a 48% increase from the previous season, according to AP. Clark’s Indiana Fever also set a WNBA record with an average home game attendance of 17,035.

Lobo also highlighted Caitlin Clark's ability to handle the intense pressure and spotlight.

“I would say she’s navigated it almost flawlessly. she hasn’t had an big missteps or misspeaks at a time you’re under constant scrutiny,” Lobo said.

“She’s seemed to say and do all the right things. That’s just incredible at a time when it’s constant attention and scrutiny. She has not done anything to tarnish this sort of mild persona she has.”

Caitlin Clark’s college coach confident in her growth under Stephanie White

After parting ways with Christie Sides, the Indiana Fever brought in hometown legend Stephanie White as their new head coach.

White, who joined the Fever in 1999 after her rookie season with the Charlotte Sting, played five seasons in the WNBA before transitioning into coaching. She served on the Fever’s staff from 2011 to 2016, advancing from assistant coach (2011–2014) to head coach (2015–2016). White helped lead the team to the 2012 WNBA championship and a Finals appearance in 2015.

Lisa Bluder, Caitlin Clark’s college coach who retired this May, expressed confidence in Clark’s growth under White’s guidance.

“I think Stephanie, as a pro coach, probably saw her more than anybody because she was also doing television and she had a lot of our games,” Bluder told CBS Sports. “And I think she respected Caitlin more than the other coaches who hadn't been around her as much.”

“Caitlin always told me that she thought Coach White defended her better than anybody else in the pros. I know that Caitlin has great respect for Stephanie White and I just think that, knowing both of their personalities, that they're going to mesh really well.”

READ: Caitlin Clark's ex-coach drops truth bomb on why Fever superstar will flourish under Stephanie White

With Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever broke an eight-year playoff drought in 2024. However, their season ended in the first round against White’s former team, the Connecticut Sun.