If perfection had a face, it might just look like Caitlin Clark on the cover of TIME magazine. The Indiana Fever superstar has officially claimed the coveted TIME Athlete of the Year title, becoming the first WNBA player to earn the honor. Naturally, she marked the moment in style—sharing a series of jaw-dropping monochrome photos on Instagram that promptly sent her fans (and boyfriend Connor McCaffery) into an understandable frenzy.
Connor’s response? A succinct, emoji-laden masterpiece:
“Stunning 🫶🏼🫶🏼❤️❤️”
Connor, we see you. And frankly, we can’t argue.
A Year for the History Books
This TIME award caps off what can only be described as a storybook year for Clark. After leading the Iowa Hawkeyes to the NCAA championship game and shattering the NCAA Division I all-time scoring record (men’s and women’s, mind you), Clark seamlessly transitioned to the pros. She was the WNBA’s No. 1 overall pick in 2024 and, in true Clark fashion, obliterated expectations.
She claimed the Rookie of the Year title in near-unanimous fashion, led the league in assists, and smashed records as if they were piñatas at a kid’s birthday party. Let’s be honest—she’s been unstoppable.
Everyone Loves Caitlin
Clark’s Instagram post became a hub of adoration, with reactions ranging from heartfelt to hilariously over-the-top. Teammate Aliyah Boston chimed in with a sassy, “Bodyyyyyyy😍😍😍,” while NBA star Tyrese Haliburton’s girlfriend, Jade Jones, declared:
“Modeling agencies are screaming!!!!!”
Even actor Taylor Lautner joined the chorus, succinctly yelling “YES” in digital form. Clearly, the Twilight star is #TeamCaitlin.
Former Iowa teammate Gabbie Marshall couldn’t resist poking a bit of fun:
“Maybe it’s TIME to get into modeling????? 😉”
And honestly? She’s not wrong.
Legendary Company
Clark’s TIME honor puts her in rarefied air, joining previous winners like LeBron James, Simone Biles, Michael Phelps, and Lionel Messi. Not bad for someone who, a year ago, was still dazzling college crowds. When asked to sum up her year, Clark reflected on her growing impact:
“I’ve been able to captivate so many people that have never watched women’s sports, let alone women’s basketball, and turn them into fans.”
That’s Caitlin Clark in a nutshell: turning casual viewers into superfans, skeptics into believers, and basketball records into dust.
Front-Row Seat to Greatness
Connor McCaffery, who’s been alongside Clark through it all, has had the best seat in the house for her meteoric rise. But his Instagram reaction proves one thing: Even when you’re dating one of the greatest athletes alive, sometimes, all you can say is “Stunning.”
Caitlin Clark, the queen of hoops, has officially added TIME royalty to her résumé. What’s next? Probably more records, more jaw-dropping performances, and, if her fans have their way, a side gig in modeling.
And to that, we say: “YES.”
