Caitlin Clark’s meteoric rise reached a storybook ending this season as she was crowned the 2024 Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year. Her incredible season, marked by record-breaking performances and eye-popping stats, has captivated not just the WNBA, but also some of the biggest names in the NBA.

 

Victor Wembanyama Makes His Opinion of Caitlin Clark Extremely Clear - Athlon Sports

 

Clark’s rookie campaign was nothing short of historic. She led the WNBA in three-pointers made and assists, and shattered an astonishing 62 records along the way. Despite the Indiana Fever missing the playoffs, her influence extended far beyond her stat lines, catching the attention of NBA stars who know a thing or two about making history.

One of Clark’s most vocal supporters is Dallas Mavericks star Luka Dončić, a former Rookie of the Year himself. “Caitlin, congratulations on an amazing season. Rookie of the Year is a big honor—you deserve it,” Dončić shared. Earlier in the season, Dončić dubbed Clark the “women’s Steph Curry,” praising her ability to control the game with sharp shooting and passing.

Clark’s impact even reached 2023 NBA Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama, who revealed he’s been a fan since her college days. “She was the only college player I was in awe of—her step-back threes were crazy!” Wembanyama said, reflecting on how Clark’s skills transcend both men’s and women’s basketball.

 

NBA: Victor Wembanyama wins Rookie of the Year award - BBC Sport

 

NBA All-Stars Tyrese Haliburton, Miles Turner, and Obi Toppin of the Indiana Pacers were regulars at Clark’s games, cheering her on as she dazzled in her debut season. “Congratulations, Caitlin—you’ve done something here that we haven’t seen in years,” Turner said. Haliburton, echoing similar sentiments, said, “It’s no surprise she won Rookie of the Year. Watching her play has been exciting, and she’s only getting started.”

Chris Paul, one of the NBA’s legendary point guards, praised Clark’s resilience and passion. “To do what you did this past season with all the crazy expectations… you were better than advertised,” Paul said. He added some sage advice: “Stay grounded and keep working on getting stronger—this is just the beginning.”

NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins put it best: “I can’t recall a better rookie season than what Caitlin Clark put up. She battled through the rookie wall and led her team while smashing records.” Even NBA icon Steph Curry chimed in, emphasizing how Clark’s deep shooting range reminds him of his own style. “Her release time is pretty much identical to mine. She’s fearless out there, and that’s what makes her special.”

And finally, LeBron James himself acknowledged Caitlin Clark’s transcendent impact. “She’s bringing more eyes to her sport, and she’s a transcendent talent. The WNBA’s future looks bright with her at the helm,” said James.

Clark’s record-setting rookie season has cemented her status not just as a WNBA star, but as a superstar in the basketball world at large. With NBA icons lining up to praise her, it’s clear that Caitlin Clark is more than just a Rookie of the Year—she’s a game-changer, and this is only the beginning of what promises to be a legendary career.