Caitlin Clark rewrites WNBA record book: Inside look at rookie’s amazing season

Caitlin Clark is a record-setting rock star.

The No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA draft by the Indiana Fever started her professional career after a stunning four years at Iowa where she re-wrote the scoring record books. Her ability to launch shots from the logo and thread passes through the thinnest of openings drew gasps from viewers and praise from some of the best players in basketball history.

Then, once she got settled in the WNBA, Clark continued her record-setting ways.

On an even bigger stage and against considerably better — and more veteran — competition she shattered numerous league records, including ones that had stood for the better part of two decades. A direct line can be drawn from Clark to spikes in attendance, TV ratings and merchandise sales. Her play, and her moxie, drew thousands of new fans as she helped elevate the WNBA to a level of popularity the 28-year-old league had not previously experienced.

Here’s a by-the-numbers breakdown of all Clark accomplished in the 2024 regular season.

Caitlin Clark rewrites assists records

Clark has broken three assists records this season. Most recently on Sept. 13, she set the single-season assists record — set last season by Connecticut’s Alyssa Thomas — in the Fever’s 78-74 loss to the Las Vegas Aces.

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Clark breaks scoring record set nearly two decades ago

No. 1 pick Seimone Augustus from LSU had owned the rookie scoring record for 18 years until Clark scored 35 points on Sept. 15 in the Fever’s 110-109 win over the Dallas Wings.

Clark completes first rookie triple-double

In addition to being the first rookie to complete a triple-double, Clark is one of just eight players in WNBA history with multiple triple-doubles in their careers, counting the regular season and playoffs.

When do Caitlin Clark and Fever play in the WNBA playoffs?

The Fever are returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2016, lifted to the postseason by the play of Clark, who is practically a lock to win the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year award.

The Connecticut Sun, a preseason favorite to contend for the WNBA championship, locked up the third seed by blowing out the Chicago Sky, 85-54, in the regular-season finale Thursday.

In the WNBA’s playoff format, the sixth seed matches up with the third seed in the first round. All first-round matchups are best-of-three series. The Fever-Sun schedule:

➤ Game 1: Sunday, Sept. 22 at Connecticut, 3 p.m. ET on ABC

➤ Game 2: Wednesday, Sept. 25 at Connecticut, 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN

➤ Game 3 (if necessary): Friday, Sept. 27 at Indiana, tip time TBA, on ESPN2

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Caitlin Clark rewrites WNBA record book: Inside star’s rookie season