Caitlin Clark (Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images)
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark was named WNBA Rookie of the Year on Thursday, the league announced.
Clark overwhelmingly beat out Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese in a poll of 67 sportswriters and broadcasters.
The 22-year-old Clark saw her rookie campaign come to an end after the Fver were swept out of the playoffs by the Connecticut Sun.
A week after the postseason exit, Clark posted a message on Instagram to thank her fanbase.
“Year one,” the NCAA all-time leading scorer wrote along with a green tick emoji.
“Thank you to the many people who have supported me as I’ve been able to live my childhood dream.
“I’m filled with gratitude as I reflect on this past year of my life.
‘See you all in year two.”
This is the first time Caitlin Clark has spoken out since Seattle Storm forward Gabby Williams chose to play overseas in Europe and brought up her name in the process.
Williams was only under contract through this year, and she chose to return to Europe because of the pay.
While on a flight to Turkey to join Fenerbahçe, Williams took to TikTok and singled out a fan who claimed Caitlin Clark made almost $1 million as a rookie.
“In the video, I’m talking about WNBA salaries and our collective bargaining agreement – I’m not talking about personal endorsements,” Williams began. “I’m not gonna disclose what I make from personal endorsement, I’m talking about specifically what WNBA salaries are and what is written in our CBA, which all of you can Google and it’s all public information.”
“Clark makes $70,000 in the WNBA,” she continued. “So I know all these Caitlin Clark fans, whatever, like ‘Caitlin Clark makes $700,000’ – that’s off of endorsements. I’m not talking about endorsements, I’m talking about the WNBA.”
Caitlin has yet to directly address Williams.
Caitlin Clark averaged 19.2 points, 8.4 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game.
What is next for Caitlin Clark?
Clark had been playing basketball since the Iowa Hawkeyes started their exhibition slate against the DePaul Blue Demons on Oct. 15, 2023.
It was a long NCAA season that did not end until the team lost in the National Championship game.
Caitlin Clark would only receive a few days off in between the national championship and the WNBA Draft and then another few days between the draft and her first practice with the Fever.
Her biggest break came during the Olympic break since she was left off Team USA.
She has no plans to play in other leagues such as ‘Unrivaled,’ which is a 3-on-3 league just created.
