Caitlin Clark, the standout rookie for the Indiana Fever, is generating buzz as a potential future GOAT (Greatest of All Time) in the WNBA. With her exceptional skills, she leads the league with an impressive 8.4 assists per game in her first season. Additionally, after averaging 28.4 points per game during her college career at Iowa, Clark continues to showcase her scoring ability, finishing her rookie year with an average of 19.2 points, ranking her seventh among all players.
While uncertainties like injuries and performance fluctuations could affect her trajectory, Clark has made significant strides in establishing a legacy in the WNBA. Many skeptics have been silenced by her strong debut season, further bolstering her reputation.
According to analysis by James Bisson at Sportsbook Review, projections suggest it will take Clark about 13 years to ascend to the status of WNBA’s greatest. He emphasized that her unique skill set is ideally suited for the modern game, stating it’s not a question of “if” she will become the GOAT, but “when.”
One major milestone for Clark will be surpassing Diana Taurasi’s record of 10,646 points. Given her proficiency with 3-pointers and the WNBA’s increasing emphasis on long-range shooting, she has a favorable outlook for achieving this goal. Bisson anticipates that Clark could pass Taurasi in her 13th season, around 2036.
Another challenge will be breaking the all-time assists record held by Sue Bird, who accumulated 3,234 assists over her 19-season career. Despite her strong start as a passer, Bisson projects that Clark will reach this milestone in her 14th season, which would be 2037.
Clark’s potential for 3-point shooting records is more promising, as she is currently far behind Taurasi’s record of 1,447 3-pointers. With 122 made in her rookie year and room for improvement in her shooting percentage, she is expected to take and make more 3-point attempts as her career progresses. Projections suggest she could secure the 3-point record by 2033.
Bisson concludes that Clark is on a definitive path to becoming the greatest player in WNBA history. Based on his calculations, fans might celebrate her as the GOAT by the time she turns 35, making her journey an exciting prospect for basketball enthusiasts. As she continues to develop her skills, the potential for Clark to redefine greatness in the WNBA remains very much alive.