Indiana Fever standout Caitlin Clark has shattered the WNBA rookie assist record, a feat previously held by Ticha Penicheiro. Clark reached this milestone during a game against the Seattle Storm, surpassing Penicheiro’s record of 225 assists set in 1998 with the Sacramento Monarchs.
Deadline reported Penicheiro, now a retired legend, shared her congratulations on X, expressing her admiration for Clark’s skill set. “Super proud of you,” she wrote. “I know the work that you put in. A lot of people always talked about your shooting. I was always mesmerized by your passing, your court vision, and how you make your teammates better. This record is in great hands. Continue to elevate your game and the women’s game and the WNBA.”
Clark achieved this record in just 28 games, outpacing Penicheiro’s 225 assists, which took 30 games to accumulate. With 12 more games remaining in the season, Clark has the opportunity to further extend her record.
In the context of men’s NBA records, Clark’s achievement is noteworthy, drawing comparisons to the records set by male players in their rookie seasons. For instance, NBA legends like Magic Johnson and Oscar Robertson set high benchmarks for assists in their early careers, but Clark’s record demonstrates a new level of excellence in the women’s game.
Clark’s rookie season has already been impressive, with her setting the record for the most assists in a single game (19 against the Dallas Wings) and becoming the first rookie to record a triple-double. These accomplishments underscore her remarkable impact in the league.
Adding to her growing list of achievements, Clark will also appear alongside Chicago Sky Forward Angel Reese in the upcoming NBA 2K video game, set for release on September 6.
