A group of 74 sports journalists from The Associated Press and its members voted on the award, with Clark receiving 35 votes. Olympic gymnast Simone Biles finished second with 25 votes, while boxer Imane Khelif placed third with four votes.
Clark elevated the profile of women’s basketball to unprecedented heights at both the college level and in the WNBA. After leading Iowa to the national championship game, she was selected as the top pick in the WNBA draft, as widely expected, and went on to earn rookie of the year honors in the league. Her journey attracted millions of television viewers and packed sold-out arenas, amplifying attention to women’s sports leagues as a whole.
Clark’s influence extended beyond the basketball court, shining a spotlight on other women’s sports and solidifying her role as a transformative figure in athletics.
