Caitlin Clark’s TIME Athlete of the Year cover and recognition sparks major controversy over USA Basketball
Clark did not attend the Paris Olympics despite seemingly deserving to do so
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark is announced at the start of a first-round WNBA basketball playoff gameAP
Few athletes have had a better 2024 than Caitlin Clark, which is why TIME Magazine has named her Athlete of the Year, joining legends like LeBron James, Simone Biles and Lionel Messi. At just 22 years old, Clark is the youngest person ever to win the award. Perhaps only Simone Biles could rival her for the honor this year, but Biles won the award in 2021 and did not have the impact that Clark did. Biles delivered a stunning performance in Paris, winning three gold medals and four overall. Her accomplishments solidified her legacy as the most decorated U.S. Olympic gymnast of all time with 11 Olympic medals, placing her firmly in the top three in Olympic gymnastics history.
Before being selected first overall in the most-watched WNBA Draft in history, Clark had an extraordinary collegiate career with the Iowa Hawkeyes. In 2024, she became the all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division I basketball (men’s and women’s), was a two-time national player of the year, and led her team to back-to-back Finals, losing both games. Months later, she won WNBARookie of the Year after breaking numerous records with the Indiana Fever, leading the team to its most wins in a season since 2015 and its first playoff appearance since 2016.
Caitlin Clark’s Olympic Snub Sparks Debate Over Time’s Award
Of course, winning an award as prestigious as TIME’s Athlete of the Year doesn’t come without controversy, especially among Caitlin Clark’s most die-hard fans. One of the most popular comments on TIME’s post reads, “The Athlete of the Year wasn’t allowed to compete in the Paris Olympics. It’s true that the only thing that would have made Clark’s outstanding year even better would have been winning an Olympic gold medal-aside from a national championship or a WNBA title, both of which she was at least eligible to compete for. Her exclusion from the Olympic team caused quite a stir at the time.
The reality is that the U.S. women’s basketball team has dominated the Olympics for years, winning its eighth consecutive gold medal last summer. Clark’s inclusion wouldn’t have changed the outcome, but it certainly could have increased the global exposure of women’s basketball. Her fame transcends borders, and just as she helped the WNBA achieve record-breaking metrics in TV ratings, merchandise sales, sold-out arenas and other positive statistics, she could have done the same for women’s basketball on an international stage.
Unfortunately, that opportunity has passed, and fans will have to wait until the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup to see Clark on the international stage. If not, her time will come at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, where she could arrive as a WNBA champion, MVP, and maybe even the U.S. team’s flag bearer. Until then, let’s enjoy her incredible game and humble approach to basketball. There are also those who suggest that commissioner Cathy Engelbert needs to do a better job with Clark to expose her to the fullest, something even Adam Silver the NBA commissioner did in an instagram post.
Caitlin Clark’s Historic Rookie Season
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Caitlin Clark’s rookie season was nothing short of extraordinary and is the primary reason she is TIME’s Athlete of the Year. She led the WNBA in assists per game (8.4), shattered the single-season assist record with 337 and set a single-game high with 19. Clark also excelled from beyond the arc, draining 122 three-pointers to move into second place all-time for most three-pointers made in a season, trailing only Sabrina Ionescu’s 128. Most notably, she now holds the WNBA rookie record for most three-pointers made in a single season.
Among her fellow rookies, Clark dominated every major statistical category, including points, assists, three-pointers, field goals and steals. She became the first rookie in league history to record a triple-double, which she did it twice. With an astounding approach to the game, points, assists and three-pointers combined, her debut season laid the foundation for what promises to be an extraordinary career. At just 22 years old, Clark’s talent and influence are just beginning to blossom, and her trajectory points to even greater achievements in the years to come.
Caitlin Clark faces backlash over comments on race, privilege, and success in the WNBA
Clark’s honest admission of privilege divides WNBA
WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark.
WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark has sparked intense discussions with her recent statements, showcasing a level of self-awareness that has left fans divided. Known for her incredible talent on the court and her impact on women’s basketball, Clark’s comments about privilege and race have added a new dimension to her public persona.
Throughout her rookie season with the Indiana Fever, Clark faced cultural debates, with some attributing her immense popularity and financial success not only to her skill but also to her race. Players like Angel Reese and WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson weighed in on the matter, with Wilson stating that Clark being White played a “huge thing” in her widespread recognition. Connecticut Sun player DiJonai Carrington even criticized Clark for not addressing racism more openly in the past.
