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Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark has been unanimously voted the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year, prompting a succinct reaction from her boyfriend Connor McCaffery.
The league announced Clark's win on Sunday, cementing her status as one of the most impactful first-year players in WNBA history. Clark, the No. 1 overall pick in April's draft, joins teammate Aliyah Boston as the only Fever players to earn the prestigious award.
McCaffery, a former Iowa Hawkeyes player and now assistant coach at Butler University, shared the Fever's post on his Instagram story with a single-word caption: "Duh."
Clark's rookie campaign was nothing short of spectacular. She averaged 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and a league-leading 8.4 assists per game. Her playmaking prowess shattered records, as she dished out 337 assists this season, breaking Alyssa Thomas' single-season mark set just last year.
The 22-year-old's scoring ability translated seamlessly to the pro level. On September 15, Clark poured in 35 points against the Dallas Wings, setting a new WNBA rookie scoring record. Her stellar play was instrumental in guiding the Fever to their first playoff appearance since 2016.
Clark's accolades didn't stop at Rookie of the Year. She was also named to the AP All-WNBA First Team alongside Napheesa Collier, Breanna Stewart, Alyssa Thomas, and A'ja Wilson. Additionally, Clark earned a spot on the AP All-Rookie team with Kamilla Cardoso, Leonie Fiebich, Rickea Jackson, and Angel Reese.
While Clark dominated the rookie landscape, she finished fourth in MVP voting with 130 points, receiving six third-place, 26 fourth-place, and 22 fifth-place votes. A'ja Wilson claimed the top honor with a unanimous 670 points, followed by Napheesa Collier (467) and former MVP Breanna Stewart (295).
The couple's relationship has been in the spotlight since going Instagram official in August 2023. McCaffery, son of Iowa men's basketball coach Fran McCaffery, has been a steadfast supporter of Clark's career. He recently transitioned from a team assistant role with the Indiana Pacers to his current position at Butler.
As Clark continues to make waves in the WNBA, her success is clearly no surprise to those closest to her. McCaffery's understated reaction to her latest achievement speaks volumes about the expectations surrounding one of basketball's brightest young stars.
With her rookie season now in the books, all eyes will be on Clark as she aims to build on this impressive foundation and lead the Fever to new heights in the seasons to come.
