The WNBA season has reached new heights in terms of public attention, setting record figures across the board. The league has seen its highest ratings ever, even surpassing some NBA games on NBA TV.
Merchandise sales have hit an all-time high, with Caitlin Clark’s #22 jersey being the top seller. Additionally, the WNBA has recorded the most social media interactions in its 28-year history and more sold-out arenas than ever before.
Much of this surge can be attributed to Caitlin Clark, the #1 pick in this year’s WNBA Draft, which was the most-watched draft ever with 2.4 million viewers. Clark also holds the most-voted player in All-Star Game history, which itself was the most-watched All-Star event, drawing 3.44 million viewers, a 305% increase from last year.
Unexpected Praise for Clark?
Since the WNBA returned from its Olympic break, the Indiana Fever (19-18) has been one of the league’s hottest teams, posting an 8-3 record in that span.
A key factor in their success has been Caitlin Clark, who benefited from a “long” break she hadn’t had since her junior season at Iowa in 2023. If Clark had gone to Paris, she might have returned exhausted and missed this remarkable end to the season.
Clark has now earned Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors three consecutive times. On the “In Case You Missed It” podcast, coach Cheryl Reeve praised Clark, saying, “She is a future Hall of Famer and has already had a huge impact on the game.” Reeve even compared Clark to Stephen Curry due to their similar playing styles and long-range shooting.
It’s noteworthy that Reeve is now complimenting Clark, considering her past hesitation regarding Clark’s inclusion in the USA team. Reeve, head coach of the Minnesota Lynx (27-9), led the U.S. team to a gold medal in Paris just over a month ago.
Although there were many reasons for not selecting Clark, the reality is that it was tough for a rookie, even one as talented as Clark, to find a spot in the rotation at that time. Her moment will likely come at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Reeve, the Lynx, and Clark’s Future
Cheryl Reeve has spent her entire head coaching career with the Minnesota Lynx, a team that Clark supported as a child. Reeve has led the Lynx to four WNBA titles and has been named WNBA Coach of the Year three times.
Her team currently sits in second place in the standings, trailing the New York Liberty (31-6) and competing with the Connecticut Sun (26-10) for that spot. While any team would love to have Clark, Reeve has Napheesa Collier, who, along with A’Ja Wilson and Clark, is a leading candidate for MVP this season.
Meanwhile, Clark leads the league in assists, averaging 8.4 per game. She ranks second in minutes played (35.8) and eighth in points (19.1). Today, she could set the record for most assists in a single season with just five more in the game against the Las Vegas Aces.
If she doesn’t achieve it today, she will in the next game. Clark already holds the record for most assists in a single game with 19. She also set the record for most three-pointers by a rookie, and with 112 so far, she still has a chance to surpass Sabrina Ionescu’s record of 128 set last season.
Clark has certainly exceeded expectations and will continue to do so throughout her career. As coach Reeve said, “She’s already a Hall of Famer.”
