WNBA fans fume at Simone Biles beating out Caitlin Clark for major honor: "Her only mistake was being white"

In addition to being named the WNBA Rookie of the Year, Caitlin Clark was honored with the Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year award, as well as the Time Magazine Athlete of the Year. While taking the interest surrounding women's basketball to new heights, Clark set the NCAA scoring record, took the Iowa Hawkeyes to a second consecutive national championship game and led the Indiana Fever to their first playoff berth since 2016.

Because of that, many fans felt as though Clark should also have been named as Sports Illustrated's 2024 Sportsperson of the Year. However, on Thursday, Olympic gymnast Simone Biles was given that honor.

After withdrawing from the 2020 Olympics, Biles made a triumphant return to the Olympic Games in Paris this year, winning gold in all-around and vault, while placing second on the floor and helping Team USA win a gold medal as a team.

In response, fans reacted.

"Really over Caitlin Clark? How is this possible what metrics were used for this?" one wrote.

Others kept the reactions coming, arguing Caitlin Clark's case.

"Caitlin Clark had about 50x the impact on the world of sports AND WOMEN'S SPORTS than Biles in 2024. What are you doing @SINow?!?!?!" one wrote.

"Over Clark and (Shohei) Ohtani is CRAZY," another added.

"U didn't really think @SInow would name @CaitlinClark22 did U?" one fan rhetorically asked.

Looking at Caitlin Clark's case for Sports Illustrated's Sportsperson of the Year award compared to Simone Biles

Caitlin Clark's rookie year with the Indiana Fever saw the young star break several WNBA records. The Iowa alum set the record for most points and assists by a rookie while logging 14 double-doubles, the most by any rookie guard.

Additionally, Clark set the record for most 3-pointers by a rookie, while becoming the first player in WNBA history to be named Player of the Month and Rookie of the Month in the same month.

On top of that, while looking at Clark's 2024, she also was named the Naismith College Player of the Year. Additionally, she was named a unanimous All-American, while winning the Big Ten Female Athlete of the Year award and the Nancy Lieberman Award.

Add on to that her Big Ten Player of the Year award, her Wade Trophy win, WSBWA National Player of the Year award and Naismith College Player of the Year award, and it's clear that Clark's impact in 2024 went well beyond the WNBA court.

Despite that, with Iowa coming up short in March Madness and the Indiana Fever falling in the first round of the WNBA playoffs, it looks like Simone Biles' accomplishments on a global stage gave her the edge in the eyes of Sports Illustrated's voters.