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Destiny Lewis
Dr. Baldwin
Sports, Entertainment, and Event Marketing
10 September 2024
The Clark Effect
The 2024 Rookie Draft class for the WNBA became one for the books. The top women's
college basketball players from all over came in and shook up the WNBA system, especially
Caitlin Clark. The number one pick in the draft from the University of Iowa went on to the
Indiana Fever.
Caitlin Clark who began playing the basketball at the age of five. By the time she was 13,
Caitlin was playing with other girls outside of her age group. Joining with an AAU (Amateur
Athletic Union) team in the sixth grade with a program based in her home state of Iowa. As a
freshman she averaged 15.3 points, 4.7 assists and 2.3 steals a game. By her senior year she was
averaging 33.4 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2.7 steals a game. Becoming the leading scorer
in the state of Iowa for the second time. Finishing her high school career with the fourth-most
points at 2,547 and the sixth-most three-pointers at 283 in Iowa 5v5 history.
Before Clark even started high school she was being scouted by NCAA D1 basketball
programs, evem receiving her first letter of Intent from Missouri state in seventh grade. By the
time Caitlin went off to college she was ranked a five star recruit at number four in the 2020
class created by ESPN.
Caitlin started her freshman year at Iowa as a starting point guard, when she played her
first game in November of 2020 she put up 27 points, eight rebounds, and four assist with a win
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over Northern Iowa. Eyes were on Caitlin Clark but they wasnt conversation about her by the
mainstream of sports. And when number one recruit Paige Bueckers was out after an ACL tear,
Cailtin was getting the views as the sports world wondered who could come up as number in
their class. In 22’ Clarked knocked out 44 points and 8 assists breaking the Iowa women singlegame scoring record and becoming the fastest Big Ten player to reach 1,000 career points.During
her sophomore season at Iowa, she led the nation in both scoring and assists, a rare feat that
underscored her versatility and basketball IQ.
Caitlin Clark continued to make waves throughout her college career, solidifying her
status as one of the most electrifying players in women's basketball. Her ability to hit deep
three-pointers, often from well beyond the arc, drew comparisons to NBA stars like Stephen
Curry and Damian Lillard.
By her junior year, Clark had become a household name, consistently filling arenas and
drawing record TV ratings for women's college basketball. Her rivalry with UConn's Paige
Bueckers became one of the most talked-about storylines in sports, with their matchups being
described as must-watch events. Despite the competition, Clark remained focused on her team,
leading Iowa to multiple Big Ten titles and deep NCAA tournament runs.
When the 2024 WNBA Draft approached, it was no surprise that Caitlin Clark was the
consensus number one pick. The Indiana Fever, a team in need of a franchise player, selected her
with the top overall pick. Immediately, Clark made her presence felt in the WNBA, bringing her
signature flair and competitive fire to the professional stage.
In her rookie season, Clark shattered expectations, leading the Fever to their first playoff
appearance in years. She averaged 22 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds per game, earning
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unanimous Rookie of the Year honors. Her deep shooting range, court vision, and ability to take
over games in clutch moments made her an instant star in the league.
Off the court, Caitlin's influence was equally profound. She became a role model for
young girls aspiring to play basketball, using her platform to advocate for gender equality in
sports. Her social media following grew exponentially, and she quickly became one of the most
marketable athletes in the WNBA, signing endorsement deals with major brands.
Caitlin Clark's arrival in the WNBA marked a new era for the league. Alongside other top
rookies, she helped elevate the profile of women's basketball, drawing in new fans and
increasing viewership. Her impact on the game, both on and off the court, was undeniable, and
her legacy as one of the greatest players in women's basketball was just beginning.
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Works Cited
“Caitlin Clark.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 12 Sept. 2024,
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caitlin_Clark. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024.
Fenner, Jake. “The Caitlin Clark Effect! ESPN Reports Record Viewers for WNBA Regular
Season up 170% from Last Year.” Daily Mail Online, Associated Newspapers, 12 Sept.
2024,www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/wnba/article-13839941/The-Caitlin-Clark-EffectESPN-reports-record-viewers-WNBA-regular-season-170year.html#:~:text=Caitlin%20Clark%20Effect!,ESPN%20reports%20record%20viewers%20for%20WNBA,up%20170%25%20from%
20last%20year&text=The%20rise%20in%20popularity%20of,helping%20to%20boost%
20the%20league. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024.
NCAA.org. “The Caitlin Clark Effect.” NCAA.Org, 15 Feb. 2024,
www.ncaa.org/news/2024/2/15/media-center-the-caitlin-clark-effect.aspx. Accessed 13
Sept. 2024.
“The Caitlin Clark Effect: Empowering Women’s Sports.” Farmers & Merchants,
www.fm.bank/blogs/blog/2024/04/12/the-caitlin-clark-effect--empowering-women’ssports. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024.
Lobo, Rebecca, et al. “Growing the Game Is Caitlin Clark’s Greatest Legacy.” ESPN, ESPN
Internet Ventures, www.espn.com/womens-college-
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basketball/story/_/id/39838971/caitlin-clark-iowa-scoring-record-legacy-college-careerends. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024.