The dirty play Caitlin Clark chose as the defining moment of her rookie year: “It blew my eardrum out!”

The Fever guard’s numbers earned her the Rookie of the Year nod.

Caitlin Clark (L) was a constant target for the veterans in her first weeks in the WNBA.

Caitlin Clark had several memorable moments in her first year in the WNBA. The Indiana Fever guard was not only the Rookie of the Year but also the first rookie to score a triple-double and set the record for assists for a rookie in a single game. Despite this, Clark chose an unexpected play as the defining moment of her first season in professional basketball.

Clark had a difficult arrival to the WNBA courts. The physical play of the veterans proved to be quite a challenge for the newcomer, who was constantly targeted by plays on the edge of regulation and even a couple of flagrant fouls, such as the one she received from Chennedy Carter in her first game against the Chicago Sky.

However, Clark knew how to overcome adversity. Against all odds, she recorded her first triple-double on July 6 against the New York Liberty by scoring 19 points, 13 assists, and 12 rebounds. She also set the single-game record for assists by a rookie with 19 on July 17 against the Dallas Wings and set the overall record for assists with 337.

Despite this avalanche of accomplishments, Clark said the defining moment of her rookie year was a play that left her with a slight injury. According to the guard, that moment taught her what the WNBA is all about.

A hit that burst an eardrum

In a Sept. 29 interview with Jon Wertheim on CBS Sports, Clark spoke of what she considers her signature moment in the WNBA. “I remember we were in New York, and Jonquel Jones set a good screen on me and I actually popped my eardrum, ruptured my eardrum just on a screen.”

When the host asked her why that moment, out of all her accomplishments as a rookie, Clark explained, “I think just kinda speaks of the physicality of the league.”

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Despite all that, Clark holds no grudge against Jones-whom she called “a tremendous player”-or any of the players from whom she received anything more than a foul. In fact, after the month-long break for the Olympics, Clark returned to the court more adapted to the league’s physical play.

Clark’s adaptation

With all the difficulties she faced and the controversy that continues to surround her on and off the court, Clark thrived in the league. The Fever guard finished her first year in the W with averages of 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 8.4 assists, and 1.5 steals.

Clark was, by no means, a victim of the veterans trying to mark their territory. The rookie also has a strong character, as evidenced by the six technical fouls she earned this season and the argument she had in the postseason with DeWana Bonner, which almost ended in a fight.

The Indiana star seems to have learned her lesson, and although she is still going through the learning curve, the fans can’t wait to see what she will accomplish in her second year as a professional.