After Just 36 Games as a Rookie, Caitlin Clark Achieves What Even LeBron James Failed To

At 19 years of age, LeBron James entered the NBA, debuting in the 2003-04 season for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Playing as the team’s shooting guard, James impressed with an average of 20.9 PPG and 5.9 APG, appearing in 79 of 82 games to win the Rookie of the Year. Yet, one feat evaded him, like every other rookie in the NBA and WNBA, until Caitlin Clark grabbed it.

On the 10th, the Indiana Fever rookie claimed the Eastern Conference ‘Player of the Week’ honors for the third consecutive week. “Caitlin Clark becomes the first rookie in WNBA or NBA history to be ‘Player of the Week’ for three consecutive weeks,” shared Stat Mamba on their official X account. This streak started following her return from the Olympic break.

Clark initiated the streak from August 15-25, securing her second consecutive ‘Player of the Week’ award the following week. By the end of August, she was named ‘Rookie of the Month’ and ‘Eastern Conference Player of the Month’. Continuing her momentum, she added the third consecutive ‘Player of the Week’ honor, standing alongside just eight other WNBA players.

Since her return from the month-long Olympic break, Clark has improved her average to 25 points, with 10.0 assists and 7.7 rebounds. Her performances even helped the Fever to a five-game win streak after and before a loss to the Minnesota Lynx, securing the first playoff berth in eight years, along the way. Yet, her early days in the league were marked by modest beginnings.

Slow and Steady Clark wins the race?

Even Clark reflected on her growth: “It feels like a different season, honestly. For myself, I feel like I was a completely different player then,” she remarked in a post-game conference. Initially, she was an influence in the WNBA’s surge in popularity. Now, it’s clear that the 2024 No. 1 draft pick has taken her time to find her place in the league.

Clark has evolved into a scoring phenomenon, breaking records in 3-pointers, assists, and triple-doubles. Last Wednesday, she helped Indiana close the week with a 2-1 record, sinking 13 3-point field goals. In the process, Clark set a franchise record with 111 field goals in a single season. However, her goal isn’t just breaking records—it’s helping the Fever toward a WNBA championship win.

The path to the championship won’t be easy, as the Fever must contend with the top-ranked New York Liberty and two-time WNBA champions, the Las Vegas Aces. As of now, both these teams lead the Fever in the WNBA power rankings as well as series record this season. Will Clark’s brilliance help lead the Fever past these formidable teams? Only time will tell.