Caitlin Clark continues to make WNBA history as the Indiana Fever guard broke the rookie single-season record for assists
Following a slow start to the season given the tremendous hype surrounding her, Clark has enjoyed a dominant rookie campaign. Heralded for her shooting exploits at Iowa, her passing is what is truly catching the eye in the WNBA.
Clark, who already holds the record for assists in a single game with 19, set a new single-season mark for rookie assists with her third against the Seattle Storm on Sunday. And she did so in a way only she can, with a sensational length-of-the-court pass showcasing her remarkable skillset.
Clark passed Ticha Penicheiro, who had 225 for the Sacramento Monarchs in 1998. While the WNBA season was shorter during Penicheiro’s rookie year, she took 30 games to reach 225 assists. Clark has passed her total in 28 games, with 12 more remaining before the playoffs.
In a video shared by the Fever on social media to mark the moment, Penicheiro congratulated Clark on the record: “Congratulations, a record that stood since 1998. And you come here and you break it. Super proud of you. I know the work that you put in.
“A lot of people always talk about your shooting; I was always mesmerised about your passing, your court vision, and how you make your teammates better. So this record is in great hands, and continue to do what you do, continue to elevate your game, and the women’s game, and the WNBA. Congratulations.”
Clark has been at her scintillating best recently. In her last 17 games, Clark is averaging over 19 points along with 9.5 assists; she scored 23 points and added 9 assists in the 92-75 win over Seattle on Sunday.
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However, Lexie Hull starred for the Fever, operating as a sharpshooter with an impressive 22 points that led Clark to take to social media to say her account is "now a Lexie Hull fan account". Kelsey Mitchell led the Fever in scoring with 27 points while Aliyah Boston led the team in rebounds with 15.
Clark currently leads the WNBA in assists per game and may have the overall single-season total assist record in her sights. The record is currently held by Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas, although the 22-year-old will surpass the mark if she averages 7.1 assists the rest of the way.
With a 13-15 record, the Fever have already tied their win total from a year ago and are seventh in the WNBA standings. The top eight advance to the playoffs. Indiana travels to face the 19-8 Minnesota Lynx in their next contest on August 24.
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