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The nominees for the 2024 ESPY Awards have been unveiled, with WNBA rookie sensation Caitlin Clark leading the field with multiple nominations. According to ESPN's press release, Clark, who made a significant impact during her tenure with the University of Iowa women's basketball team, has been nominated in three categories: Best Athlete, Women's Sports; Best Record-Breaking Performance (for surpassing Pete Maravich as the NCAA's all-time scoring leader); and Best College Athlete, Women's Sports.
Joining Clark in the spotlight are several other prominent athletes. Gymnastics icon Simone Biles has been recognized for Best Comeback Athlete, while Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes is nominated for both Best Athlete, Men's Sports, and Best NFL Player. Tennis prodigy Coco Gauff is up for Best Athlete, Women's Sports, and Best Tennis Player.
Mahomes and MLB star Shohei Ohtani have the opportunity to secure their second win in the Best Athlete, Men's Sports category, potentially joining an elite group that includes LeBron James, Lance Armstrong, and Tiger Woods, who have won the award multiple times, as reported by ESPN.
The 2024 ESPY Awards ceremony is scheduled to broadcast live on ABC on Thursday, July 11 at 8 p.m. ET. Tennis legend Serena Williams will host the event, which will not only celebrate athletic achievements but also present prestigious awards such as the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage, the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance, and the Pat Tillman Award for Service, with recipients to be announced closer to the date.
In a nod to the previous year's ESPYs, Clark's on-court rival Angel Reese secured the Breakout Athlete of the Year award, a title that drew 9.9 million viewers to the 2023 NCAA Women's Championship Game where Reese's Tigers faced off against Clark's Iowa Hawkeyes, showcasing the growing popularity and impact of women's sports on a national stage.
