The top ten rookie seasons in WNBA history, including Clark and Reese.
Caitlin Clark grew up watching the WNBA, having been born in 2002, five years after the league’s founding. Her dream has always been to play in the WNBA. As her record-breaking debut season draws to a close, it’s evident that she has already made an impact in just one summer.
“A lot of people in this rookie class grew up just loving this league,” Clark said. “They talk about all of the times they spent watching WNBA games as kids, or they talk about a certain player that they adore.
“I’m not sure if having a strong fan base automatically makes one more equipped to compete in the WNBA, but perhaps it does given how excellent this league is. These young players that enter the league having idolized a certain player or team will still be there, and it had a significant influence on their formative years.”
One day, some may claim that Clark had such an influence on them. Her career might be extraordinary, and she is off to a great start. How excellent has she been thus far as a rookie?
She now ranks seventh in scoring and leads the WNBA in assists and 3-pointers made. With two triple-doubles, she became the first rookie to achieve that feat. The most by any player in a season, Clark has eight games with at least 20 points and 10 assists. She became the first player in WNBA history to average at least 25 points and 10 assists over a five-game stretch with Sunday’s victory over the Atlanta Dream.
In addition, Clark has the longest streak of any player in WNBA history—ten games in a row with at least three 3-pointers made. Additionally, Clark has played a significant role in the Indiana Fever’s seven-year playoff drought as they have made it to the postseason for the first time since 2016.
Clark has been in a class by herself when it comes to her influence on WNBA publicity and attracting new fans. Her ascent to the NCAA Division I scoring record and her two appearances to the national championship game during her time at Iowa have contributed to her popularity, which has carried over to the WNBA along with her skill. Tickets for the Fever are highly sought after in Indiana and throughout the league.
Of the ten rookie seasons in WNBA history, where does Clark’s season stand? And does Angel Reese, who is currently unable to play for the remainder of the season due to a wrist injury, make the list as well? Not just the players that won WNBA Rookie of the Year could compete; all rookies were welcome. Nevertheless, that distinction went to all of the list’s winners save this year’s rookies. Clark is the clear favorite, but the 2024 winner hasn’t been announced yet.
Similar to most rankings, it is nearly impossible to restrict to just ten places. For example, how can we omit Seimone Augustus, who holds the record for the highest rookie scoring average (21.9 in 2006)? What about Cheryl Ford, the only Rookie of the Year winner other than Maya Moore to win a WNBA championship in her first season? In 2003, Ford averaged a double-double (10.8 PPG, 10.4 RPG).
We attempted to consider rookies who had a significant impact in several areas during their rookie year, as well as if they accomplished historical accomplishments for both rookies and players in general. Clark and Diana Taurasi are the only two real guards on this list. That’s most likely due to the fact that guards sometimes take a little longer to become used to the league.
In Clark’s situation, however, the league had to start acclimating to her really quickly.
1. 1. Candace Parker, Los Angeles Sparks, 18.5 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 3.4 APG, 2.3 BPG, 2008 Rookie Year Stats
The only player to win MVP and Rookie of the Year in the same season is Parker. After winning back-to-back NCAA titles at Tennessee, the No. 1 draft pick became an instant star in the WNBA. After Team USA’s 2008 Olympic gold medal victory, the forward-center and the Sparks advanced to the Western Conference finals. Parker went on to win three WNBA championship teams (2016), 2021, and 2023, as well as second MVP award (2013) and Defensive Player of the Year (2020).
2. Indiana Fever, Tamika Catchings, 2002
Stats during the rookie year: 18.6 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 3.7 APG, and 2.9 SPG
When her knee injury forced her to miss her final season at Tennessee, Catchings was taken third overall in 2001 while she was recovering. She thereby led the Fever to their first-ever playoff trip in 2002, her first season. Catchings became the only rookie in WNBA history to have 9.2 win shares. The forward went on to win the 2012 championship, five times as Defensive Player of the Year, and a league MVP award (2011).
3. Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever, 2024 Rookie year statistics (19.2 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 8.5 APG, 1.3 SPG) as of September 10.
Following teammate No. 1 pick Aliyah Boston, the 2023 Rookie of the Year for the Fever, as the top pick in April was Clark. In just one season, those two have advanced significantly as a premier guard-post combination. Together, Clark and Kelsey Mitchell, his starting backcourt partner, have also clicked well; the two are averaging slightly over 19 points a contest. It’s reasonable to argue that Clark’s offensive season has been the best of any WNBA rookie. One area in which Catchings has an advantage is that, even as a rookie, she was a superb defender. Clark has advanced in that regard.
4. Maya Moore, Minnesota Lynx, 2011: 13.2 points per game, 4.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.4 steals in his rookie campaign
The three-time Wade Trophy winner from UConn didn’t have the best numbers when she was selected as the first overall choice in 2011, but she had a huge and instant effect. She was the missing piece that the Lynx needed to win their first of four WNBA titles that season. In her eight seasons in the league, the forward made six visits to the WNBA Finals and went on to win league MVP in 2014.
5. The 2018 Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson
Stats for the rookie year: 20.7 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 2.2 APG, and 1.7 BPG
Wilson was the second of the Aces’ three straight No. 1 selections, having come before Jackie Young and after Kelsey Plum (during the team’s time in San Antonio). Together, they have been a part of the Aces’ victories in the last two WNBA seasons. When the team relocated to Las Vegas during Wilson’s rookie season, she became the team’s face right away, and the center is headed for her third MVP crown this year. Additionally, she has received two Defensive Player of the Year awards.
6. Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm, 18.3 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 3.4 APG, and 1.9 BPG in her rookie season (2016)
Following Jewell Loyd, Stewart was the second consecutive No. 1 pick by the Storm, having won four NCAA titles at UConn. Stewart, a forward, won an Olympic gold medal with Team USA during his debut season in the Women’s National Basketball Association, following in the footsteps of Diana Taurasi and Candace Parker. Since then, Stewart—who is currently a member of the New York Liberty—has taken home two league titles and two WNBA MVP honors.
