Caitlin Clark, the standout player for the Indiana Fever, is a household name in the world of basketball, yet it is her academic achievements that her mother holds most dear. While Clark’s incredible athletic accomplishments are widely celebrated, including being named Time magazine’s Athlete of the Year and Female Athlete of the Year by The Associated Press, her mother has always emphasized the importance of education. In a recent appearance on the New Heights podcast, Clark shared that her mother would likely point to her Academic All-American honors as her proudest moment.
Clark’s journey to stardom began early—she was first approached by colleges when she was just 13 years old. Despite her success on the court, she has always been diligent about her studies. In 2024, Clark was recognized for her academic excellence by being named to the prestigious Academic All-America Team with a stellar GPA of 3.64. This honor, which requires athletes to maintain a GPA of 3.50 or higher while participating in a set percentage of their games, was a significant milestone for Clark, who became only the seventh player to receive this accolade in consecutive years.
Despite her mother’s emphasis on academic success, Clark herself admits that while she values all of her accolades, they are just part of the process. “They’re all cool, but you don’t really care,” she remarked, explaining that she sees her achievements as a natural outcome of enjoying the sport. However, when reflecting on being named Time magazine’s Athlete of the Year, Clark acknowledged the significance of the recognition. Being listed among some of the world’s greatest athletes, including LeBron James, made the honor feel especially rewarding for her.
In addition to the Time recognition, Clark’s achievement of being named Female Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press was a milestone in its own right. The award is voted on by a panel of sports journalists, and Clark received the most votes, beating out Olympic gymnast Simone Biles and boxer Imane Khelif. Her win places her alongside other legendary female basketball players such as Sheryl Swoopes, Rebecca Lobo, and Candace Parker—athletes Clark admired growing up.
Reflecting on these accomplishments, Clark expressed gratitude for the visibility they bring to women’s sports. Her achievements not only shine a light on her personal journey but also highlight the continued growth and recognition of women’s basketball on the global stage. Despite all the accolades, Clark remains grounded, knowing that her mother’s pride lies not just in her basketball victories, but in her ability to balance academics with athletics—a lesson that will continue to shape her as she advances in her career.
