Caitlin Clark has turned the Fever into an unstoppable offensive team with her playmaking, and earlier this season she broke Ticha Penicheiro's long-standing rookie assist record. Now, the No. 1 overall pick is closing in on the all-time single-season mark, which was set just last season by Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas.
Clark is only a few months into her professional career, but she's already established herself as the most dynamic playmaker in the league thanks to her pick-and-roll craft and transition brilliance. Her 8.5 assists per game lead the league and would be the highest average ever for a rookie.
Clark collected another 12 assists on Sunday in the Fever's comeback win over the Atlanta Dream in overtime. She now needs 11 assists to surpass Thomas, who dished out 316 assists last season. At her current pace, Clark would do so during the Fever's Sept. 13 game against the Las Vegas Aces.
Single-season assist record
| Player | Team | Season | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
Alyssa Thomas | 2023 | 316 | |
2023 | 314 | ||
Caitlin Clark | Fever | 2024 | 306 |
Courtney Vandersloot | 2019 | 300 | |
2023 | 291 | ||
Courtney Vandersloot | Sky | 2021 | 275 |
Courtney Vandersloot | Sky | 2018 | 258 |
Sky | 2023 | 251 |
Clark has always been an incredible passer, but that aspect of her game was overshadowed in college by her long-range shooting. That has not been the case in the WNBA. Clark has already become the first rookie to record a triple-double and set the all-time single-game assist record with 19 in a win over the Wings on July 17. She also has the Fever's single-season assist record and the WNBA's rookie assist record.
Furthermore, she's recorded the fifth 30-point, 10-assist game in league history, broke the record for most games with at least 20 points and 10 assists (eight) in a single season and is on pace to become the fourth player to average at least 15 points, five rebounds and five assists per game for an entire season.
