Leading Iowa back-to-back NCAA finals and then landing straight as a No.1 pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, it was more than obvious to expect Caitlin Clark to do wonders this season and be a top ROTY contender. Well, she stood on all those expectations, breaking long-standing records right in her debut season and leading the Indiana Fever into playoffs after 8 years. Now, as she receives the well-deserved WNBA Rookie of the Year award, her boyfriend and former college teammates couldn’t be prouder.

Just hours before the news broke online that Caitlin Clark had officially been named the WNBA Rookie of the Year, the Bleacher Report took to Instagram to celebrate her achievement. They posted a carousel featuring a bold poster of Clark with the caption “WAS THERE ANY DOUBT?” alongside a highlight reel of her standout rookie moments. Once her close friends and family saw the post, they couldn’t help but beam with pride for the Fever’s No. 22.

Her boyfriend, Connor McCaffery, might have been a bit late to the party, but he eventually reposted the Bleacher Report’s post on his Instagram story to celebrate her Rookie of the Year win. The rookie has been close to McCaffery since her college days at Iowa and as per her social media updates, celebrated a year together in April this year.

Her Hawkeye teammates, however, were the first to proudly acknowledge her accomplishment. Gabby Marshall and Kate Martin—now one of Clark’s opponents in the WNBA—were quick to reshare the post on their stories, proving that their college bond remains as strong as ever. Clark spent her entire Iowa career alongside Marshall and Martin, with the trio leading the Hawkeyes to back-to-back national championship appearances in 2023 and 2024, though they fell just short of claiming the title both times.

It’s no surprise that emotions are running high among Caitlin Clark’s close circle as the Iowa alum has absolutely taken the WNBA by storm, racking up an impressive list of records and accolades in her rookie season.

Caitlin Clark’s ROTY: An addition to the record-breaking rookie season that redefines expectations

Just a week prior, Caitlin Clark was proudly announced as the unanimous recipient of the Associated Press Rookie of the Year award. While many had high hopes for her to win the league’s Rookie of the Year title, this recognition is still a remarkable achievement in its own right, particularly because the ‘unanimous’ vote mirrored A’ja Wilson’s prestigious “Unanimous MVP” honor.

Not only did the Fever guard finish fourth in the MVP race with 130 points, she also earned a spot in the WNBA All-Star Game, where she helped lead her team to a dominant victory over Team USA. What truly sets Clark’s debut season apart, though, is her ability to break records time and time again. One of her standout achievements? Becoming the first rookie in league history to record a triple-double, setting the tone for what has become an unforgettable year.

As if her first triple-double wasn’t impressive enough, the Fever guard managed to notch another one during her rookie season. But that’s just the beginning of her record-breaking spree. She shattered Seimone Augustus’ rookie scoring record by racking up 769 points and also surpassed Alyssa Thomas’ all-time season assists record with a number of staggering 337. To top it off, Clark set a new benchmark for assists in a single game, dishing out an incredible 19.

Often celebrated as the “Sharpshooter,” Caitlin Clark made her mark as the rookie with the most three-pointers in a season, sinking an impressive 122 shots from beyond the arc. Her remarkable performance led the Fever to the playoffs for the first time since franchise legend Tamika Catchings retired in 2016. However, the rookie and her team had to face the exit in the first round against Connecticut Sun. Nevertheless, Clark’s arrival and her impact surely sets a tone for many good things to come for the Indianapolis franchise in coming years.