Christie Sides' Strong Message to Caitlin Clark Revealed After Winning WNBA ROY Award

Caitlin Clark was named the WNBA’s Rookie of the Year on Thursday, capping off a historic debut season.

In her rookie season, Clark started all 40 games, averaging 19.2 points, a league-high 8.4 assists, 5.7 rebounds, 1.33 steals, and 35.4 minutes per game. She led rookies in all major categories except rebounds (third) and ranked second in the WNBA for minutes played.

Clark set a WNBA single-season record with 337 assists and rookie records for points (769) and three-pointers made (122). She also posted the second-highest free-throw percentage (90.6%) and fell just six threes short of the WNBA single-season record.

After the announcement, Fever coach Christie Sides delivered a personal message for Clark.

"Caitlin, just wanted to say congratulation on Rookie of the Year," Sides said in a video posted to the Fever's social media accounts. "You worked extremely hard to get this and to earn this award. Congratulations."

The Fever also posted a video with all of Clark's teammates congratulating her on the award.

"I knew you could do it from the jump," said Aliyah Boston , who won the award last year. "Congratulations. No one deserves it more than you."

The vote was nearly unanimous. Clark received 66 votes from a national panel of 67 sportswriters and broadcasters. Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese received the other vote.

Related: Angel Reese's WNBA Rookie of the Year Votes Revealed After Caitlin Clark Win