Caitlin Clark, the WNBA rookie sensation and former Iowa star, was named Time Magazine’s 2024 Athlete of the Year, the magazine announced Tuesday. The recognition comes just months after Clark was named the WNBA Rookie of the Year, garnering near-unanimous support from sportswriters and broadcasters.

Clark, 23, was selected No. 1 overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft and quickly established herself as one of the league’s brightest stars. In her first season, she set a WNBA rookie record with 769 points and led the league with 337 assists, breaking the all-time record for most assists in a single season. Clark also made the most three-pointers by a rookie, showcasing her scoring versatility. Her accomplishments earned her spots on the WNBA All-Star Team, All-WNBA First Team, and WNBA All-Rookie Team.

Her impact extended beyond her rookie season. In February, Clark became the NCAA Division 1 women’s basketball all-time leading scorer, surpassing 3,800 career points. She also broke Pete Maravich’s long-standing all-time scoring record, further cementing her place in basketball history. The 2023 NCAA championship game, featuring Clark and Iowa against South Carolina, drew 18.9 million viewers, making it the second-most watched women’s sporting event in U.S. TV history, behind only the Olympics.

Off the court, Clark made history with a reported $28 million endorsement deal with Nike, the largest ever for a women’s basketball player. Her success helped propel the WNBA to new heights, with the 2024 season attracting a record 54 million unique viewers and boosting league attendance by 48%.

Time’s selection of Clark highlights not just her on-court achievements but her growing influence as a global sports icon. With her record-breaking performances and off-court impact, Clark continues to inspire a new generation of athletes and fans.