Caitlin Clark’s WNBA Rise: From College Star to All-Star Captain—and BFF with Kate Martin
In just one electric year, Caitlin Clark has redefined what it means to enter the WNBA spotlight. The Indiana Fever rookie phenom has become a record-smashing sensation—on and off the court.
A Friendship Forged in Iowa
Before their professional careers began, Caitlin Clark and Kate Martin were teammates with the Iowa Hawkeyes, where Clark’s scoring fireworks and Martin’s steady leadership—nicknamed “The Glue”—formed a beautiful synergy. These ties didn’t fade when Clark went to Indiana and Martin to the Las Vegas Aces (now Golden State Valkyries). Their bond continues to resonate across team lines—playfully and meaningfully.
Case in point: Clark’s lighthearted “shot swat” greeting to Martin before a Fever vs. Valkyries game perfectly encapsulates their camaraderie SI. It’s a friendship born in shared locker rooms and cemented in mutual respect—proof that heartfelt bonds can transcend team rivalries.
Record-Breaking Debut—and Beyond
From her very first WNBA game on May 14, 2024, Clark made headlines. She posted 20 points while also logging a league-record 10 turnovers, underlining the tough learning curve ahead. But she wasn’t deterred. Just weeks later, she dazzled with seven threes in a rookie-record-matching performance, and then poured in 13 assists to set an Indiana Fever single-game mark.
Her explosive play wasn’t just about flashy stats—it was about making history. In her first season, Clark became the first rookie since Candace Parker (2008) to earn All-WNBA First Team and All-Rookie Team honors, averaging 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and leading the league in assists.
All-Star Weekend: A Spectacle
Caitlin Clark’s 2024 All-Star debut wasn’t just a milestone—it was a visual banner for the WNBA’s growing appeal. She set the rookie assist record in the All-Star Game with 10 assists and averaged a jaw-dropping 3.44 million viewers, making it one of the most-watched WNBA events ever.
Not ones to let success slip away, fans re-elected her as a captain for the 2025 All-Star Game, handing her over 1.2 million votes—once again shattering the league’s previous all-star vote records.
Caitlin Clark’s rookie year reads like a script built on grit, grace, and game-changing talent. From her supportive bond with Kate Martin to her ability to captivate fans and rewrite record books, Clark has become more than a player—she’s a movement.
