*Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark made history on Tuesday, becoming the first WNBA player to be named Time’s Athlete of the Year since the award’s inception in 2019.
In her interview with the magazine, Clark acknowledged her privilege and emphasized the importance of amplifying the voices and representation of Black women in the WNBA.
“I want to say I’ve earned every single thing, but as a white person, there is privilege,” Clark told Time. “A lot of those players in the league that have been really good have been Black players. This league has kind of been built on them.”
She continued, “The more we can appreciate that, highlight that, talk about that, and then continue to have brands and companies invest in those players that have made this league incredible, I think it’s very important. I have to continue to try to change that. The more we can elevate Black women, that’s going to be a beautiful thing.”
Clark also opened up about not making the team for the Paris Olympics.
Caitlin Clark is TIME’s Athlete of the Year https://t.co/WtgLuIIYhb pic.twitter.com/oGDewhUPcB
— TIME (@TIME) December 10, 2024
“I don’t want to be there because I’m somebody that can bring attention,” she said. “I love that for the game of women’s basketball. But at the same time, I want to be there because they think I’m good enough.”
She added, “I don’t want to be some little person that is kind of dragged around for people to cheer about and only watch because I’m sitting on the bench. That whole narrative kind of upset me. Because that is not fair. It’s disrespectful to the people that were on the team, that had earned it and were really good. And it’s also disrespectful to myself.”
As CBS News reports, Clark had a groundbreaking 2024, highlighted by leading the Iowa Hawkeyes to their second straight NCAA championship game and earning the Naismith Player of the Year award. After being selected as the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft, she revitalized the Indiana Fever, guiding them to their first playoff appearance since 2016. Her debut season included making the All-Star Game, earning a spot on the All-WNBA First Team, and being named WNBA Rookie of the Year.
“I’ve been able to captivate so many people that have never watched women’s sports, let alone women’s basketball, and turn them into fans,” Clark said.
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