Clark caps superb rookie WNBA season with 16-year first

Caitlin Clark is the first rookie to be named in the All-WNBA first team since 2008. Photo: AP PHOTO

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark has been included in the All-WNBA first team, becoming the first rookie in 16 years to earn the honor.

Clark joined Napheesa Collier, league MVP A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces, Breanna Stewart and Alyssa Thomas on the first team.

Wilson and Collier, the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year, received unanimous first-team votes. It’s the sixth first-team honour and seventh overall for Stewart, also a two-time league MVP.

Clark received 52 first-team votes, fourth-most overall. She also finished fourth in MVP voting.

She is the first rookie named in the first team since Candace Parker in 2008. Sue Bird (2002), Tamika Catchings (2002) and Diana Taurasi (2004) were also first-team rookies.

The WNBA Rookie of the Year finished her first campaign averaging 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and a league-high 8.4 assists per game.

Sabrina Ionescu (New York Liberty), Kahleah Copper (Phoenix Mercury), Nneka Ogwumike (Seattle Storm), Arike Ogunbowale (Dallas Wings) and Jonquel Jones (Liberty) were selected in the All-WNBA second team.

Liberty stars Stewart, Ionescu and Jones are all coached by Opals coach Sandy Brondello, whose side are locked in a tight tussle with Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA Finals.

Ionescu was the top vote-getter on the second team, earning 204 points, 51 points shy of Thomas of the Connecticut Sun.

The teams were selected by a panel of 67 sportswriters and broadcasters. Voting was conducted at the conclusion of the regular season. Players were selected without regard to position.