The WNBA has named Caitlin Clark as the 2024 Rookie of the Year after her debut season with the Indiana Fever. Official voting results, released on Thursday, showed Clark receiving 66 first-place votes, while Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese earned the only other first-place vote.
Following the announcement, the Indiana Pacers honored Clark with a tribute video, featuring a congratulatory message from NBA star Tyrese Haliburton. “Caitlin, congrats on winning Rookie of the Year,” Haliburton said. “Not a surprise at all.
Very happy for you. Keep up the great work and go Fever.” Clark acknowledged the video on Instagram with a white heart emoji. Haliburton and Clark are reportedly close, with Haliburton attending several Fever games during the season.
Myles Turner, Tyrese Haliburton and Obi Toppin send their congrats to Caitlin Clark after being named WNBA Rookie of the Year 💙💛
“It’s been a pleasure watching you play this year…Best is yet to come.” pic.twitter.com/F19szrWH9v
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) October 3, 2024
He recently spoke about their friendship at NBA Media Day, mentioning how he’s also grown close to Clark’s boyfriend, Connor McCaffery. “Me, her, Connor, and my girlfriend Jade have a group chat, and we talk pretty often,” Haliburton said. “It’s been great building that friendship.”
During her rookie season, Clark averaged 19.2 points, 8.4 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game, leading the WNBA in assists and rookies in scoring. Her standout performance helped the Fever finish with a 20-20 record, securing the sixth seed in the WNBA standings.
