"You come in here & you break it" - Former WNBA champion praises Caitlin Clark for shattering her 26-year-old record

Ticha Penicheiro congratulates Caitlin Clark after the Indiana Fever rookie broke her 26-year-old single season rookie assist record on Monday. [photo: @indianafever, @tichapenicheiro]
Ticha Penicheiro congratulates Caitlin Clark after the Indiana Fever rookie broke her 26-year-old single season rookie assist record on Monday. [photo: @indianafever, @tichapenicheiro]

Caitlin Clark’s incredible rookie season continues with another record broken on Sunday. The former Iowa star led the Indiana Fever to a 92-75 win over the Seattle Storm. Clark finished with 23 points, nine assists, five rebounds, two blocks and one steal.

Indiana’s star guard dished her 225th season assist at the halfway point of the second quarter to break the record for most assists in a rookie season. The dime pushed her past the 224 set by the legendary Ticha Penicheiro, who compiled her numbers in 1998 with the Sacramento Monarchs.

After the game, Penicheiro sent this message to Caitlin Clark:

“Hey Caitlin, Ticha here. Congratulations. A record that stood since 1998 and you come in here and you break it. Super proud of you. I know the work that you put in. A lot of people always talk about your shooting.
“I was always mesmerized about your passing, your court vision and how you make your teammates better. So, this record is in great hands.”

Clark’s record-breaking moment came during a Fever fastbreak with 4:41 left in the second period. Following an Aliyah Boston rebound, Clark pushed the pace before whipping a pass to Lexie Hull for a layup.

On Saturday, Caitlin Clark also set a record in the Indiana Fever’s 98-89 win over the Phoenix Mercury. She finished with 29 points, 10 assists and five rebounds. Clark had her fourth game with 25+ points, 10+ assists and 5+ rebounds, breaking Diana Taurasi’s rookie record set in 2004.

Indiana’s star guard is now tied for the WNBA record for most games in a season with 25+ points and 10+ assists. She might have that mark all to herself in the Fever’s next 12 remaining games.


Caitlin Clark is proud of her latest record-breaking accomplishment

Caitlin Clark has 232 assists in 29 games. She could have easily gotten more had her teammates been more efficient with their shots. Regardless of the conversion rate, Clark is determined to give them the best chance to succeed.

After breaking Ticha Penicheiro’s record, the All-Star guard had this to say about orchestrating the Fever offense:

“I take a lot of pride in that. I want to set my teammates up first and foremost because I think that’s what’s going to help you have a successful team.”

The Indiana Fever have had superb success since the WNBA returned from the month-long Olympic break. They are 2-0 since action returned with impressive wins against the Phoenix Mercury and the Seattle Storm. During that span, Clark is averaging 26.0 points, 9.5 assists and 5.0 rebounds.

Another record-breaking night in a superb Fever win strengthened Caitlin Clark’s contention for the hotly contested Rookie of the Year award.

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Edited by Michael Macasero
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