Move over, dictionary, because Kate Martin just redefined the word unreal! Yes, that’s the one and only response she had when her former Iowa Hawkeyes teammate and bestie, Caitlin Clark, snagged the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year (ROY) award. And really, who needs a paragraph when a single word says it all?
Clark Crushed It All Season Long!
Caitlin Clark, aka the Indiana Fever’s resident superhero, proved she’s the real deal. From raining 3s to dishing out dimes, she turned the WNBA into her personal playground. Let’s break it down: Clark led all rookies in scoring, assists, steals—heck, she probably would’ve led in popcorn sales too if she felt like it. With 19.2 points per game, 8.4 assists (a league-high, mind you), and 1.3 steals, she made every other rookie look like they were still learning to tie their shoelaces.
Kate Martin, now balling with the Las Vegas Aces, wasn’t going to let her friend’s major win slip by without a nod of approval. She jumped on Instagram and gave Clark’s ROY award poster from ESPN a shout-out, simply captioning it: “Unreal.” Honestly, with the way Clark plays, Martin’s reaction is about as spot-on as a Clark no-look pass!
Records? Check. More Records? Double Check!
When Clark hit the court this season, she didn’t just break records—she obliterated them. Like, who leaves the WNBA record books in such shambles after just one season?! Caitlin Clark, that’s who. Here’s a rapid-fire rundown of her achievements:
- WNBA single-season assist record: 337 assists. That’s more dimes than a candy store cash register.
- Most points by a rookie: 769 points. Someone call the fire department because those nets were burning!
- Triple-doubles by a rookie: 2. Before Clark, it was zero. She didn’t just break the record—she made it up!
- Single-game assist record: 19 assists. Wait, are we sure she’s not secretly an octopus? 🐙
- And if you’re still not impressed, she’s the first rookie ever to rack up 30 points and 10 assists in a single game. Not once, not twice, but eight times!
All Hail the Rookie Queen 👑
With such a dominating performance, it’s no wonder Clark grabbed 66 out of 67 possible votes for the Rookie of the Year award. The lone dissenter? Someone needs to check on that Chicago Sky fan who voted for Angel Reese instead. I mean, Angel was good—great, even—but Clark was on a whole different planet.
Yet it wasn’t just the stats that made Caitlin Clark a must-watch player this season. It was her swagger, the no-look passes that made defenders look silly, and the ability to hit a deep three from the parking lot without breaking a sweat. Seriously, defenders probably woke up in cold sweats at 3 a.m., haunted by the sound of Clark draining another bucket.
Playoff Hopes and Early Exits 🚪
Clark didn’t just make history; she dragged the Indiana Fever into the playoffs for the first time in eight long years. But the fairytale didn’t have a happy ending. The Connecticut Sun swooped in like an uninvited guest at a wedding and swept the Fever right out of the postseason. Hey, it’s not a Cinderella story without some shattered slippers, right?
So, What’s Next for the Phenomenon That Is Caitlin Clark?
If year one is any indication, the Fever’s fresh-faced superstar is just getting warmed up. Clark has already left her mark on the WNBA, and the league better buckle up for what comes next. Because if “unreal” is the word for her rookie year, then what on earth do we call her sophomore season? “Out of this world?” Stay tuned, folks—Clark’s just getting started, and we’re all lucky enough to have front-row seats.
And Kate Martin? She’ll probably need a whole thesaurus to react to whatever Caitlin Clark does next.