Caitlin Clark reacts to historic ESPY wins, Serena Williams’ hosting

Caitlin Clark has weighed in on her first ESPYs.

Watching from the comfort of her own couch, the Fever’s All-Star rookie won two awards — Best Record-breaking Performance after becoming the NCAA’s Division I all-time scoring leader during her senior year at Iowa — and the Best College Athlete, Women’s Sports.

She made a virtual appearance at the live show at Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Thursday.

The following day on Friday, ahead Indiana’s game against the Mercury, she answered questions about the show and shared her shock as the first woman to win the “record-breaking” award.

“Yeah I didn’t know that until my little brother sent it to me this morning,” she said per Matthew Byrne of Clutch Points. “I think it’s super cool. I think I probably shouldn’t have been the first woman to win that award, in my eyes, just because I grew up supporting so many different female athletes that I idolized and I loved.

US women’s basketball coach Cheryl Reeve fumes over Caitlin Clark Olympics question

“The amount of records that I saw people break and win. To me, how did Serena Williams never win that award? That’s crazy just thinking about things like that.

“Hopefully it’s the start to women getting more recognition and their accomplishments being recognized more. Obviously, it’s cool but it’s not something you would have guessed, honestly. But for me, it’s just something I’m really grateful for.”

Clark noted her appreciation for the amount of recognition of women’s basketball throughout the ESPYs.

Outside of her two awards, Aces star and two-time WNBA defending champion A’ja Wilson took home the award for Best Athlete, Women’s Sports, beating out Clark, tennis star and US Open defending champion Coco Gauff, and pro golfer Nelly Korda.

Caitlin Clark tosses her game sneakers to ecstatic young fan after Fever win

Juju Watkins also won Best Breakthrough Athlete after having a breakthrough freshman season with the Southern California Trojans that featured a trip to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.

“Something that really stood out to me was like how much women’s basketball was a part of the show. I think it shows where women’s basketball is going and obviously women’s athletics in general,” Clark said. Obviously Serena [Williams] did a tremendous job hosting. I think that was great. But, to me, Juju [Watkins] won, A’ja [Wilson] won, I won a couple. I think it just shows the excitement around the game and how many people watch and pay attention and where it’s going to go.”

Among the various jokes the 23-time Grand Slam champion Williams pulled out on the awards night, she did make sure to poke fun at Clark when she first took the stage.

“Caitlin Clark had an amazing year and is nominated for three awards,” Williams started with. “Caitlin, you are the Larry Bird in that you are an amazing player, you have ties to Indiana, and white people are really crazy about you.”

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR STARTING LINEUP NEWSLETTER

It didn’t resonate so well with some of Clark’s fans.

“Shame on you, @serenawilliams . What a disgusting comment. Do better,” wrote one user on X.

Clark may soon have another award coming her way — Rookie of the Year — as she remains a frontrunner for it against former college rival Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky, who just finished a league record of 15 consecutive double-double games.

Clark has helped Indiana, who started 2-9 on the season, to be in the playoff conversation now as the No. 7 team in the league — just a half game ahead of Reese and the Sky in the eighth and final spot.

Both players were the only two rookies named to the 2024 WNBA All-Star team.

For the latest in sports, top headlines, breaking news and more, visit nypost.com/sports/