Nobody captured the attention of the whole sporting world this year quite like Caitlin Clark.
With that, the 22-year-old superstar was named as TIME Magazine's Athlete of the Year, becoming the fourth sporting figure after LeBron James, Simon Biles, and Lionel Messi to grace the cover of the prestigious weekly read-up.
Caitlin Clark is TIME's Athlete of the Year https://t.co/WtgLuIIYhb
— TIME (@TIME) December 10, 2024
"I've been able to captivate so many people that have never watched women's sports, let alone women's basketball, and turn them into fans," Clark told the magazine.
It was a historical 2024 for CC, who helped the growth of the WNBA and women’s basketball in general behind her dazzling play and powerful influence.
[ALSO READ: That’s a wrap for CC: Caitlin Clark reflects on historic WNBA rookie season]
She powered the University of Iowa to a 34-5 record and to back-to-back Finals appearances in the women's NCAA tournament before losing to South Carolina.
Clark also broke the all-time Division I career scoring record in both the men’s and women’s, eclipsing Pete Maravich (3,667) after finishing with an astounding 3,951 markers overall.
She was then selected as the no.1 overall pick in the most recent WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever and went on to become the unanimous Rookie of the Year winner behind some record-breaking feats.
[ALSO READ: Leave no doubt: A’ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark named unanimous WNBA MVP, Rookie of Year winners]
More importantly, Clark helped the Fever end an eight-year playoff drought before losing in the opening round to the no. 3 Connecticut Sun.
[ALSO READ: Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever clinch spot in 2024 WNBA Playoffs]< /p>
Despite all of this, Clark was left out of the USAWBT that won gold in the Olympic Games Paris 2024 in the summer.
[ALSO READ: After Paris 2024 roster exclusion, Caitlin Clark to banner Team WNBA vs. Team USA in WNBA All-Star Game]
Several sporting figures commended Clark just like former NBA champion Matt Barnes and two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup winner Alex Morgan.
“Salute,” Barnes commented.
“👏👏,” Morgan posted.
Reigning No. 2 pick Cameron Brink of Los Angeles also extended her greetings to Clark.
“Speechless,” Brink said.
