The WNBA announced on Thursday that Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark was named 2024 Rookie of the Year in a near-unanimous selection, earning 66 out of 67 votes from a national media panel comprised of two writers from each WNBA market, and a number of national WNBA writers, reporters, and broadcasters. The other vote went to the Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese, this year’s No. 7 draft pick.

Clark was joined on the WNBA All-Rookie Team by Reese, Sky center Kamilla Cardoso, the Los Angeles Sparks’ Rickea Jackson and the New York Liberty’s Leonie Fiebich. The league posted on its social media: “From #1 overall pick to ROTY Caitlin Clark is your 2024 WNBA @Kia Rookie of the Year! Clark averaged 19.2 PPG , 5.7 RPG, and led the league with 8.4 APG, becoming the first rookie to ever lead in that category #KiaROY | #WelcometotheW”

Per The Athletic’s Shams Charania: ‘Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier has been awarded the Defensive Player of the Year, sources confirm. Las Vegas’ A’ja Wilson received MVP, and Connecticut’s DiJonai Carrington won Most Improved Player.’

Clark said in a statement: “I am incredibly honored to be named Rookie of the Year, but more than that, I am grateful to everyone that supported me throughout this past season — my family and friends, my teammates, the Fever organization and everyone that cheered us on all season. I am so proud of what we accomplished and so excited for what the future holds.”

Clark, the No. 1 draft pick in April, had one of the best first-year seasons in league history – averaging 19.2 points, 8.4 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game in the regular season to lead the Fever back to the playoffs.  Clark ranked seventh in scoring, shooting 41.7% overall, 24.4% from 3 and 90.6% from the free-throw line, and led the league in assists to earn the peak performer award and added 1.3 steals and nearly a block per game. The Fever were eliminated from the first-round of the playoffs by the Connecticut Sun.

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