Caitlin Clark Named AP Female Athlete of the Year After Transformative Season

The 22-year-old basketball star elevated women’s sports with record-breaking achievements and unprecedented popularity in 2024.

Caitlin Clark became the fourth women’s basketball player to win the AP Female Athlete of the Year award, receiving 35 out of 74 votes from sports journalists.
Clark’s historic year included breaking the NCAA Division I career scoring record and leading the Indiana Fever to their first playoff appearance since 2016 during her rookie WNBA season.
Her impact extended beyond the court, as WNBA TV viewership rose by 300%, and the NCAA women’s championship game outdrew the men’s for the first time in its 42-year history.
Simone Biles, who won three gold medals at the Paris Olympics, placed second with 25 votes, while boxer Imane Khelif, whose inclusion sparked gender eligibility debates, received four votes for third place.
Despite her success, Clark faced online toxicity and criticism but was widely praised for her grace under scrutiny and her efforts to inspire young fans and elevate women’s sports.