Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, formerly a legend for the Iowa Hawkeyes, has been named to The Athletic's All-WNBA Preseason First Team as she gears up for her second professional season. Following an exceptional rookie year, Clark is cementing her position as one of the league's premier players.

Clark's debut season was marked by significant contributions, averaging 19.2 points, 8.4 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game. Her performance earned her a spot on The Athletic's Preseason First Team, alongside A'ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, Breanna Stewart, and Alyssa Thomas. The selection was made by a committee comprising women's basketball managing editor Shannon Ryan, reporters Ben Pickman, Sabreena Merchant, and Chantel Jennings, and Zena Keita from the "No Offseason" podcast.

As the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year, Clark played a pivotal role in transforming the Fever franchise, guiding Indiana to a 20-20 record and their first playoff appearance since 2016. Although the team faced a first-round exit against the Connecticut Sun, Clark's impact was undeniable. She broke numerous league and franchise records, solidifying her status among the WNBA's elite. WNBA legend Sue Bird noted, "She knows the league now. That's dangerous," highlighting expectations for Clark's 2025 season.

Last year, Clark set a new WNBA record for the most assists in a single season and established new rookie records for three-pointers and regular season points scored. Her stellar rookie campaign also earned her a spot in the 2024 All-Star Game, where she tied the record for the second-most assists in the event's history. Clark's presence was a major factor in the WNBA’s viewership surge during the 2024 season, with 22 regular-season games exceeding one million average viewers, a milestone not seen since 2008.

Including the WNBA Draft and the All-Star Game, a total of 24 league events reached seven figures in viewership last year, with Clark featured in 21 of them. The Indiana Fever also participated in all six games that set new WNBA viewership records for league television partners. Caitlin Clark and the Fever will commence their 2025 season against Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky. Following this, Indiana will play consecutive games against the Atlanta Dream, starting with a home game, followed by a matchup in Atlanta on May 22.