The first half of the WNBA season ended on Wednesday night, with the league taking a break this weekend for the All-Star Game in Phoenix and then the Paris Olympics.
The downtime will provide a chance for reflection, especially for Indiana Fever No. 1 overall pick Caitlin Clark.
Sure, she’ll play as part of Team WNBA against Team USA in the All-Star Game in Phoenix, but because she wasn’t selected for the Olympic team (more on that later), Clark will have a chance to reflect on what she’s accomplished and the media whirlwind that began the moment she stepped onto the WNBA court.
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Indiana Fever’s No. 22, Caitlin Clark, handles the ball during a game at College Park Center on July 17, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Michael Gonzalez/NBAE via Getty Images)
Let’s take a look back at the start of Clark’s WNBA career, starting with the plethora of controversy she faced during her first press conference as a member of the Fever.
Greg Doyell’s Drama
Indy Star columnist Greg Doyel made some awkward comments about Clark at his press conference when he joined the Fever, making a heart shape with his hands before asking Clark a question and asking, “Do you like it?”
The exchange ultimately led to an apology from Doyel and Indy Star dropping him from its Fever coverage this season.
Aja Wilson brings up racial issues when discussing Clark’s popularity
Las Vegas Aces player A’ja Wilson told media at the start of the WNBA season that she believes race played a role in Clark’s sudden popularity across the country.
“I think that’s a big thing. A lot of people might say this isn’t about black or white, but to me it is. As a black woman, I can be first class for who I am and maybe people don’t want to see that,” Wilson said. He told the Associated Press When asked what role race plays in Clark’s appeal.
“No matter what we do as black women, we end up being ignored. So it pisses me off when people say this isn’t about race, because it is.”
WNBA champion A’ja Wilson denies accusations she’s ‘jealous’ of Kaitlyn Clark: ‘I have no reason to be jealous’
Wilson eventually changed his mind about Clark.
“She’s learning and growing just like everybody else,” she said. “I feel like people don’t give her a chance. We tell our rookies every day, ‘This is new. You’re coming into a whole new world and starting from scratch,’ so these questions are just annoying because she’s young. She’s a rookie. You keep asking us these questions as if she’s a grown woman who’s been in this league for years. No, she’s doing her job. We’re doing our job. At the end of the day, we just need to grow and get better and do stuff like that.”
Chennedi Carter Tech
When the Chicago Sky veteran guard shoulder-checked Clark as she was looking to receive an inbounds pass after a score, it quickly became a WNBA foul that was talked about around the world.
Although it was ruled a general foul at the time, the WNBA later upgraded it to a Major Violation 1.
But the foul became the hottest topic in sports, with every talk show discussing the play and what it says about how Clark is perceived in the WNBA.
After initially refusing to talk about the foul, Carter finally answered questions about it later, saying she had no regrets about what happened.
Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Carter (7) guards Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 1, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Pat McAfee’s “white dude” remarks spark controversy
While the athlete tried to defend Clark, many felt he went too far when he called Clark a “white bitch” during a monologue on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show.”
Pat McAfee later clarified that he had not meant any insult to Clark.
“I should never have described Caitlin Clark as a ‘white bitch,'” McAfee wrote, “out of context, even though we were talking about how race was a factor in some of the events. I have too much respect for her and women to say something like that to the public.”
“My intention when I said it, as well as that whole segment, was as a compliment, but many people have said that was never the case. It is 100% my fault and I apologize for that…I have also sent an email to Caitlyn apologizing.”
Pat McAfee retracts ‘white bastard’ remarks about Caitlin Clark: ‘I have too much respect for her’
Dropped from the Olympic team
Many believed Clark was destined to be on the 12-player squad heading to Paris to represent the United States in women’s basketball at the Olympics.
But when the Olympic rosters were announced, Clark wasn’t there.
Outrage was particularly generated when Jen Rizzotti, chair of the USA Women’s Basketball National Team selection committee, said it was “irresponsible” to include Clark in the team and that popularity had not been a factor in deciding who should be selected.
Clark played the noble role, saying he only wanted the national team to succeed and that he hoped to make the team one day, but many players, including Serena Williams, Stephen A. Smith and Paul Pierce, weighed in on the situation.
Indiana Fever player Caitlin Clark, wearing number 22, and Chicago Sky player Angel Reese, wearing number 5, watch a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 16, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Emily Chin/Getty Images)
Angel Reese Head Smack
The technical foul became the latest WNBA story after Reese appeared to hit Clark in the head while trying to block, as the rivalry between the two players dates back to their college days.
Reese defended the play after the June 16 game, calling it a “basketball play,” and Clark agreed, but Clark had been assaulted in previous games, sparking a social media uproar and sparking a controversy.
WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes began to dispute the reporting of the foul against Clark, saying “there’s no way it could be made to look like she was assaulted.” Fellow WNBA legend Swin Cash also called the way the media covered Reese’s technical a “terrible job.”
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert later appeared on “The Today Show” and dismissed the idea that players around the league were targeting Clark.
Breaking Records
Clark has been embroiled in a number of controversies, but the Fever’s No. 1 overall pick seems to be getting better with every game.
The statistics and records bear this out.
– WNBA single-game assist record: Clark set his latest record on Wednesday night, recording 19 assists in a loss to the Dallas Wings.
Courtney VanderSloot previously held the record with 18 assists, which she recorded on Aug. 31, 2020.
– Fastest player to reach 400 points and 200 assists in a season: The 19 assists not only set a single-game record, but also helped Clark reach another milestone, one that wouldn’t have been possible without his team-high 24 points.
Clark needed just 26 games to reach 400 points and 200 assists; the previous lowest mark in WNBA history was held by the legendary Sue Bird, who did it in 33 games.
Indiana Fever’s No. 22, Caitlin Clark, handles the ball during a game at College Park Center on July 17, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Michael Gonzalez/NBAE via Getty Images)
– Stats never seen before in WNBA or NBA history: Clark would have liked to have won against the Washington Mystics on July 10, but she produced a performance never before seen in the NBA, let alone the WNBA.
Clark finished with 29 points, 13 assists, five rebounds, five three-pointers, five blocks and three steals — the first time any player had ever recorded such a performance in the WNBA or NBA history, the WNBA said in a statement.
–First triple-double by a WNBA rookie: On July 6, Clark took to the field against the WNBA’s best team, the New York Liberty, and did something no other rookie had ever managed before.
She finished with 19 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds, becoming the first WNBA rookie to record a triple-double. While her scoring and assist prowess has been on display all season, Clark also contributed to the team’s rebounding efforts.
– Historic All-StarClark and Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese made history by becoming the first rookies since 2014 to be named All-Stars in the same season.
Clarke had received the most fan votes at the time of the count, and was the only player to surpass 700,000 votes by 735 votes. Teammate Aaliyah Boston came in second with 618,680 votes.
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It was a tough experience for Clark, who had to stay focused on the court under the spotlight every night, but it was to be expected for a player who broke NCAA records and brought a whole new audience to women’s basketball during her time at Iowa.
Clark still has the WNBA All-Star Game ahead of her, where plenty of eyes will be on her playing against the U.S. Olympic team that many believe she should have been on this summer.
Indiana Fever player Caitlin Clark, wearing number 22, poses for a portrait during her induction press conference at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on April 17, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Matt Kreiger/NBAE via Getty Images)
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After that, Clarke will have some time to breathe and reflect on her accomplishments, but the second half of the season will be focused on making the WNBA playoffs in her rookie season.
As of now, the Fever are 11-15 and seventh in the league, one of only eight teams that will qualify for the playoffs.
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