Sept 28, V7N -Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark has been named the WNBA Rookie of the Year, according to a Friday report by The Athletic. The same report revealed that Minnesota Lynx player Napheesa Collier earned the league's Defensive Player of the Year award.

Clark's recognition was widely expected after a record-breaking first season. As the No. 1 draft pick, she set new records for assists in a season (337) and in a single game (19). Additionally, she became the first rookie to record two triple-doubles in a season, while her 769 total points (averaging 19.2 per game) marked the most ever scored by a rookie.

Although the WNBA had yet to officially announce these awards, the players' union (WNBPA) issued a statement that seemed to confirm the honors. The statement also criticized USA Today columnist Christine Brennan for what it called inappropriate interview questions directed at Connecticut Sun player DiJonai Carrington regarding incidental contact with Clark during a playoff game.

It was previously announced that A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces won the MVP award, while Carrington was named Most Improved Player.

Collier's Defensive Player of the Year award capped off a strong season for the 28-year-old forward. She set career highs in rebounds (9.7), steals (1.9), and blocks (1.4) per game, alongside an impressive 20.4 points per game in 34 regular-season starts. In the playoffs, she led her team with 38 and 42 points in the first two games of the Lynx’s sweep of the Phoenix Mercury.

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