5 hours Ago By The Straits Times
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (No. 22) driving to the basket defended by Connecticut Sun guard DiJonai Carrington during Game 2 of the first round of the WNBA play-offs. NEW YORK – Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark is the Women’s National Basketball Association’s (WNBA) Rookie of the Year, while Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier won the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award, The Athletic reported on Sept 27.
Clark’s honor was widely expected after she set multiple records in her first season in the league. The No. 1 draft pick broke the records for assists both in a season (337) and in a single game (19).
She was also the first player to record two triple-doubles in her rookie season, and her 769 total points (19.2 per game) marked the most a rookie has ever had. The WNBA had yet to announce the awards themselves, but they appeared to be confirmed by the players Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) in a statement that targeted USA Today columnist Christine Brennan for interview questions it found unsavory.
“This week was dedicated to celebrating and amplifying A’ja (Wilson), Caitlin, DiJonai (Carrington) and Napheesa for their hard work and truly exception performances all season long,” the union’s statement began, before going on to air complaints about questions Brennan asked Carrington about accidental contact the Connecticut Sun player made with Clark during their first-round play-off series. It had been previously revealed that Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces was the league’s Most Valuable Player and Carrington won Most Improved Player. As for Collier, the 28-year-old forward averaged 9.
7 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 1.4 blocks per game (all career highs) to go with her 20.
4 points per game in 34 starts in the regular season. Collier also recently dropped 38 and 42 points in the Lynx’s two first-round play-off games against the Phoenix Mercury, leading a 2-0 sweep. While these players, amongst others, have contributed to the surging popularity of the women’s basketball league, unfortunately, it has also opened the door for harassment, and the league’s veterans are calling for officials to do more to address racist and sexist abuse.
The addition of collegiate media sensation Clark to the WNBA in 2024 helped drive record viewership and attendance, and the league found itself more firmly embedded in mainstream US sports culture, where racism and misogyny remain prevalent. The issue has come to a head during the ongoing WNBA play-offs. “I don’t appreciate the new fans that sit there and yell racial slurs at myself, my teammates and the people that I play against.
I do appreciate the new fans that respect the game that are here to grow our league,” Brittney Griner said on Sept 26, a day after her side Mercury were eliminated from the post-season by the Lynx. Connecticut Sun’s five-time All-Star Alyssa Thomas added: “It’s unacceptable, honestly. I’ve never been called the things that I’ve been called on social media and there’s no place for it.
” The 22-year-old Clark said it was “definitely upsetting” and no one should have to face racist threats or hurtful remarks. “Those aren’t fans, those are trolls, it’s a real disservice to the people in our league..
. I think continuing to uplift this league in a very positive light is the best thing that we can do,” she said. On Sept 25, the WNBA condemned the behaviour of fans accused of racism.
“While we welcome a growing fan base, the WNBA will not tolerate racist, derogatory, or threatening comments made about players, teams and anyone affiliated with the league,” the league said in a statement. “League security is actively monitoring threat-related activity and will work directly with teams and arenas to take appropriate measures to include involving law enforcement as necessary.” The WNBA have to prepare to tackle more of these issues with the growing stature of the league.
The regular-season attendance was up 48 per cent over the 2023 season – averaging 9,807 fans per game in 2024, a hefty increase from last season’s 6,615 per game – the league announced on Sept 27. The league said 2,353,735 fans attended WNBA games, the most in 22 years, while WNBA teams combined for 154 sell outs this season after having just 45 in 2023. REUTERS, AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
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