Caitlin Clark heads into second WNBA season as Time Magazine Athlete of the Year

Caitlin Clark grabbed storylines and attention during her first season in the WNBA. It culminated with an incredible honor, as the Indiana Fever star was named Athlete of the Year by Time Magazine.

With expectations already sky high, it's hard to envision what Clark can do for an encore in her second WNBA season. The Fever star is strategically preparing for it, and has made an important decision as she gears up for next season.

Caitlin Clark cleared her offseason calendar by declining an invitation to play with Unrivaled, a three on three basketball league, founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier.

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While fans might be disappointed that she won't be in action, this gives Clark additional time to get the body right and skills sharpened for her second WNBA season in 2025.

The Indiana Fever star can proudly reflect on a sensational rookie season that impacted the sport in ways no one could have imagined.

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For the first time, sold-out arenas have become the norm, television ratings have gone through the roof, and fan bases and jersey sales have skyrocketed thanks to the introduction of Clark.

Clark, fellow rookie Angel Reese, and the league's best player, A'ja Wilson, have continuously chased records and titles, causing a storm on social media and making the women's game more relevant.

According to PBS News, Chicago Sky veteran Lindsay Allen said: "Watching the basketball that's been played this season and the talent that's been on the floor across the league, it's been phenomenal."

Clark and her rival Reese brought intense rivalry, swagger, and passion into the game in college and have transferred that into the pros, elevating the profile of the players and the WNBA.

The Indiana Fever guard had lofty expectations before she suited up in the WNBA, drawing comparisons to LeBron James' arrival in the NBA in 2003. Despite the pressure on her shoulders, Clark has exceeded everyone's expectations.

According to ESPN, Clark has the rookie records for scoring (761 points), three-pointers (120), and All-Star game assists (10). She broke the league's single-game (19) and single-season records for assists (329) and became the first rookie to post a triple-double.

Clark was also integral in helping the Indiana Fever end the second-longest playoff drought in league history, which lasted seven years. The team finished sixth with a record of 20 wins and 20 losses.

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After an incredible record-breaking rookie year, Clark's expectations will be even higher in year two. Her broken records have given everyone a flavour of what is to come in the coming years.

A'ja Wilson became the first player to break 1,000 points (1021) in a single season this year, and with Clark scoring 761 in her rookie year, the single-season points record will be in her sights. Clark has established an unlimited shooting range that is destined to break more records.

Clark's passing ability and basketball IQ separate her from other guards. It's the reason she has the single-season assists record already. The all-time assists leader is Sue Bird, who posted 3234 assists. If Clark continues at the same rate, she will break the record in ten seasons.

After taking a dying franchise to the playoffs in her first season, the goal has to be to reach the WNBA Finals or win in the coming seasons. The Fever beat every team at least once other than the Las Vegas Aces this season, showing they can compete against everyone.

Clark said before the playoffs: "We really believe we can compete with every single team that's going to be in the playoffs. Obviously, the only team we didn't beat this year was the (Las Vegas) Aces, and the only way we would see them, I think, would be in the Finals."

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