Caitlin Clark: TIME Magazine's 2024 Athlete of the Year

Caitlin Clark — TIME Magazine 2024 Athlete of the Year Collectible Cover

In December 2024, TIME Magazine named Caitlin Clark its Athlete of the Year — recognizing a season that reshaped women's basketball on the court, in the stands, and across popular culture. From her record-breaking Iowa career to a historic WNBA rookie season, Clark's impact extended far beyond statistics, making this TIME Magazine cover one of the most significant sports collectibles of the year.

History of TIME's Athlete of the Year

TIME Magazine's Athlete of the Year is a prestigious honor highlighting athletes whose influence extends beyond competition and into culture, business, and public conversation. First awarded in 2019, Clark's 2024 selection placed her among some of the most impactful athletes of the modern era.

Past TIME Athlete of the Year Winners

• 2019 — United States Women's National Soccer Team
• 2020 — LeBron James
• 2021 — Simone Biles
• 2022 — Aaron Judge
• 2023 — Lionel Messi
• 2024 — Caitlin Clark

Caitlin Clark's Iowa Background

Raised in Des Moines, Iowa, Caitlin Clark developed her game in local gyms before starring at Dowling Catholic High School. She chose the University of Iowa, where she became one of the most dominant scorers in NCAA history — men's or women's.

At Iowa, Clark broke the all-time NCAA Division I scoring record and led the Hawkeyes to consecutive national championship games. Her deep shooting range and high-tempo style drove unprecedented television ratings for women's college basketball, laying the foundation for everything that followed.

Her Historic WNBA Rookie Season

Selected first overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Clark entered the league under immense scrutiny and expectation. She responded with one of the most impactful rookie seasons in league history.

• WNBA Rookie of the Year (2024)
• Set a WNBA single-game record with 19 assists
• First rookie to record 30 points and 10 assists in a game
• Named to the All-WNBA First Team — first rookie since 2008
• Led Indiana to its first playoff appearance since 2016

Clark's playmaking and scoring helped elevate attendance and viewership across the entire league, with sold-out arenas following the Fever on the road throughout the season.

Caitlin Clark's Impact on Women's Basketball

Beyond wins and records, Clark changed the geometry of the game. Defenses were forced to extend well beyond the three-point line, and casual sports fans began tuning into regular-season WNBA games in record numbers. Her presence accelerated long-term growth for the league — increasing media coverage, sponsorship interest, and mainstream visibility for women's basketball as a whole.

2024 Caitlin Clark Timeline

• April 2024Drafted No. 1 overall by the Indiana Fever — most-watched WNBA Draft in history
• July 17, 2024Sets WNBA single-game assist record with 19 assists
• August 30, 2024First rookie ever to record 30 points and 10 assists in a WNBA game
• October 2024Named WNBA Rookie of the Year and All-WNBA First Team
• December 2024Named TIME Magazine's Athlete of the Year

The Caitlin Clark Panini Instant Rookie Card Market

Clark's cultural dominance in 2024 extended directly into the collectibles market. Her 2024 Panini Instant WNBA rookie cards became some of the most sought-after women's basketball cards ever produced, with premium graded copies reaching record-breaking auction prices.

Notable Caitlin Clark Card Sales

Explore our full Caitlin Clark 2024 Panini Instant rookie card checklist for a complete breakdown of every card in the set.

Why the TIME Magazine Cover Is a Significant Collectible

TIME Magazine covers have a long history as cultural artifacts. The 2024 Athlete of the Year issue places Clark in a select group — LeBron James, Simone Biles, Lionel Messi — athletes who transcended their sport in a given year. For collectors, this issue documents a landmark moment: the year women's basketball became undeniably mainstream.

As Clark's career continues to build, her 2024 TIME cover will remain a timestamp of the season that changed everything — not just for her, but for the WNBA and women's sports broadly.