Caitlin Clark Highlights An Unexpected Turning Point From The Season That Broke All Records.

Despite her long list of accomplishments this season, Caitlin Clark has disclosed that one particular instance sticks out in her memory.
This was the exact moment she crashed into a screen set by Jonquel Jones during a game against the New York Liberty in early June. Even with all of her accomplishments, the 22-year-old finds that this memory will always be with her as her career develops. The rookie for the Indiana Fever explained why that collision eclipses other accomplishments in an open interview with “60 Minutes.” As her pivotal “Welcome to the WNBA” experience, which she had eagerly awaited, Clark thought back on the play.
The gifted newcomer smiled as she recalled, “I remember we were in New York and Jonquel Jones set a good screen on me.” “I literally ruptured my eardrum while staring at a screen. JJ did a pretty great job on the screen. The story is engaging. I believe it’s something I’ll never forget about joining this league. To be honest, I think that’s more memorable than the triple-doubles.”
Furthermore, Clark acknowledged that it was her “own fault” for slamming into Jones’ well-positioned screen with such force, saying she did not hear her teammates alert her to the approaching screen at that precise moment.
Such incidents led supporters to denounce the league, charging that WNBA veterans were purposefully focusing on rookie Clark. However, Clark denied these allegations, arguing that the incidents were typical basketball play, according to the Mirror US. Clark said, “My focus is basketball,” at the time. “It’s annoying sometimes how much of the conversation isn’t about basketball and not about the players who are playing so well and how great this season has been for women’s basketball and the product on the floor.” “It’s unfortunate that we can’t play basketball together, but as I mentioned earlier, the talks will take place and benefit women’s basketball concurrently.
However, I believe it’s difficult for people to recall that I simply enjoy playing basketball.”
“I work here. This is what I’m here for. I’m not interested in anything else. That’s not the purpose for which my teammates and the other teams in the league are here either.” Since then, Clark has advanced through the ranks and become a league-wide standout player in addition to being one of the best rookies. She shattered numerous records and was pivotal in driving the Fever to their first playoff spot since 2016.
In addition, she won four times as the WNBA Rookie of the Month and three times as the WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week. Along with numerous other honors, Clark won August’s Player of the Month and Rookie of the Year titles, making history as the first player to do so.
Against the Dallas Wings, Clark made history on the court by becoming the first rookie in league history to record a triple-double and by recording the most assists in a single game (19). Clark’s outstanding play earned her the unanimous award of WNBA Rookie of the Year from the Associated Press.