Caitlin Clark’s WNBA career start was marked by broken records and controversy

The first half of the WNBA season ended Wednesday night as the league takes a break for the All-Star Game in Phoenix this weekend and the Paris Olympics afterward.

This time off is a good opportunity for reflection, especially for Indiana Fever first-round pick Caitlin Clark.

Yes, she’ll be in Phoenix to face Team USA as a member of the WNBA All-Star Game, but since she didn’t make the Olympic team (more on that later), Clark will have a chance to look back on what she’s accomplished, as well as the media whirlwind that seemed to start the moment she stepped onto the WNBA court.

Caitlin Clark, #22 of the Indiana Fever, handles the ball during a game on July 17, 2024, at the College Park Center in Arlington, TX. (Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)



Let’s take a look back at the beginning of Clark’s WNBA career, starting with the controversy she faced at her very first press conference as a member of the Fever.

Gregg Doyel

Indy Star columnist Gregg Doyel’s awkward comments to Clark made headlines at her introductory press conference for Fever, when he asked if she “liked it” after making a heart shape with his hands before asking her the question.

Ultimately, this interaction led to an apology from Doyel, and Indy Star dropped him from the Fever program for the rest of the season.

A’ja Wilson mentions race when discussing Clark’s popularity

Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson told the media at the start of the WNBA season that she believed the issue of race was brought up when discussing why Clark quickly rose to national prominence.

“I think it’s a big issue. I think a lot of people might say it’s not about blacks and whites, but for me, it is. It really is, because you can be the best at what you do as a black woman, but maybe that’s what people don’t want to see,” Wilson told The Associated Press when asked about the role race plays in Clark’s appeal.

“ No matter what we do as black women, we are still going to be swept under the rug. That’s why my blood boils when people say it’s not about race, because it is.”

WNBA CHAMPION A’JA WILSON REJECTS ACCUSATIONS SHE’S ‘JEALOUS’ OF CAITLIN CLARK: ‘I HAVE NO REASON TO BE JEALOUS’

Wilson eventually changed his mind about Clark.

“She’s learning and growing like everyone else,” she said. “I feel like people don’t give her a chance. We tell our rookies every day, ‘This is new. You’re stepping into a whole new world and starting over.’ So these questions are just annoying because she’s young. She’s a rookie. You keep asking us these questions like she’s a grown woman who’s been in this league for years. No, she’s doing her job. We’re doing our job, and at the end of the day, that’s how we grow, is when we get better and do things like that.”

Chennedy Carter Technology

The incident quickly became a WNBA foul known to the world when the veteran Chicago Sky guard shoulder-butted Clark, who was looking to make an inbound pass after a shot.

At the time, the foul was considered a routine foul, but the WNBA later upgraded it to a Level 1 serious infraction.

However, the foul became the hottest topic in sports, with every talk show discussing the play and how Clark was received by the WNBA.

Carter later finally answered questions about the foul play after initially refusing to talk about it. She said she had no regrets about anything that happened.

Chicago Sky defender Chennedy Carter (7) defends Indiana Fever defender Caitlin Clark (22) on June 1, 2024, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Pat McAfee’s ‘white b**ch’ comment goes viral

The sports personality tried to defend Clark, but many felt he went too far when he called her a “white bitch” during a monologue on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show.”

Pat McAfee later clarified that he had not offended Clark.

“I should not have used ‘white b—-’ to describe Caitlin Clark,” McAfee wrote. “No matter the context. Even when we’re talking about race being the reason for some of the things that happen. I have too much respect for her and women to put that into the universe.”

“My intention in saying that was to be complimentary, like the whole segment, but a lot of people said it was definitely not. It was 100% my fault and I apologize for that… I also apologized to Caitlin.

PAT MCAFEE STEPS BACK AT ‘WHITE’ COMMENT ABOUT CAITLIN CLARK: ‘I HAVE TOO MUCH RESPECT FOR HER’

Leaving the Olympic team

Many believe Clark will be part of the 12-woman squad that will travel to Paris to represent the United States in women’s basketball at the Olympics.

However, when the Olympic team list was announced, Clark’s name was not on it.

Outrage erupted, especially after USA Basketball women’s team selection committee chair Jen Rizzotti called Clark’s inclusion “irresponsible,” saying her popularity was not factored into the decision when deciding whether to include her on the team.

Clark took the high road, saying she only wanted the best for the team and hoped to one day join. But the likes of Serena Williams, Stephen A. Smith, Paul Pierce and many others weighed in on the situation.

Caitlin Clark, #22 of the Indiana Fever, and Angel Reese, #5 of the Chicago Sky, watch during a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 16, 2024, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

Angel Reese’s Headbutt

The rivalry between the two players dates back to their college days, so when Reese appeared to slap Clark in the head while attempting to block the ball, the technical foul became the latest talking point in the WNBA.

Reese defended the play after the June 16 game, saying it was “a basketball play,” and Clark believed the same. But the controversy started when social media picked up, as Clark had been beaten in previous games.

WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes began criticizing the coverage of Clark’s foul, saying “we can’t make it look like she was attacked.” WNBA legend Swin Cash also called the media’s coverage of Reese’s foul “nasty.”

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert later went on “The TODAY Show,” where she mocked the notion that players in the league were targeting Clark.

Breaking records

Despite the controversies Clark has been embroiled in, the Fever’s number one pick seems to be getting better with each game.

The statistics and log books prove it.

– WNBA single-game assists record: Wednesday night brought Clark’s latest record as she recorded 19 assists in an away loss to the Dallas Wings.

Courtney Vandersloot previously held the record with 18 assists, set on August 31, 2020.

– Fastest player to reach 400 points and 200 assists in a season: The 19 assists not only set a record in a game, but also helped Clark reach another milestone that would have been impossible without her team-high 24 points.

Clark needed just 26 games to reach 400 points and 200 assists. The previous lowest record in WNBA history was held by the legendary Sue Bird, who needed 33 games to do so.

Caitlin Clark, #22 of the Indiana Fever, handles the ball during a game on July 17, 2024, at the College Park Center in Arlington, Texas. (Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)

– Stats never seen in WNBA or NBA history: Clark was desperate to win against the Washington Mystics on July 10, but she put up a statistic never seen in the NBA, let alone the WNBA.

Clark finished the game with 29 points, 13 assists, five rebounds, five three-pointers, five blocks and three steals. The WNBA said no player had achieved that feat in their league or the NBA.

– First WNBA rookie to achieve a triple-double: Clark faced off against the WNBA’s best team, the New York Liberty, on July 6 and did something no rookie has done in their career.

She had 19 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds to set the record for the first triple-double by a WNBA rookie in history. Her scoring and playmaking abilities have been on display throughout the season, but Clark really stepped up to the plate to help her team.

– Historic All-Stars : Clark and Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese helped rewrite history, as this was the first time since 2014 that two rookies were named All-Stars in the same season.

Clark received the most fan votes when all were counted, she was the only player to reach 700,000 votes with 735. Her teammate, Aaliyah Boston, came in second with 618,680 votes.

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It’s been quite a journey for Clark, who has struggled to stay on the court despite the huge attention she’s been getting every night. But at the end of the day, it was to be expected after breaking NCAA records and bringing a whole new audience to women’s basketball during her time at Iowa.

Clark still has to attend the WNBA All-Star Game, where a huge crowd will be watching her play against the U.S. Olympic team, a team many believe she should have been a part of this summer.

Caitlin Clark, #22 of Indiana Fever, poses for a portrait at Gainbridge Fieldhouse during her press conference on April 17, 2024, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Matt Kryger/NBAE via Getty Images)

Clark will have time afterward to breathe and reflect on what she has accomplished, but in the second half, she will have to try to make the WNBA Playoffs in her rookie season.

The Fever are currently seventh in the league with an 11-15 record, with only eight teams making the playoffs.