BASKETBALL star Caitlin Clark will certainly go down as one of the sports mavericks of 2024.

And it’s no surprise to see that the awards keep piling up for the prolific Clark.

Caitlin Clark was an inspirational figure for the Iowa HawkeyesCredit: Getty

Clark was selected with the first pick at the WNBA DraftCredit: Getty
Clark has now picked up the James E. Sullivan Award for the second straight year.

The 22-year-old is the first two-time winner of the award in its 94-year history.

The award goes to the nation’s most outstanding athlete at the college or Olympic level.

Clark’s contribution to women’s basketball could never be underplayed.

The Iowa Hawkeyes point guard inspired her team all the way to the title game at March Madness, where they lost to the South Carolina Gamecocks.

On the way, she became the highest NCAA points scorer in history.

Her exploits helped to make the event by a distance the most watched ever in women’s basketball, with huge television audiences tuning in across the United States.

She was selected by the Indiana Fever with the first overall pick in last week’s WNBA Draft.

A women’s basketball record of 18.9 million viewers watched Iowa’s loss to South Carolina.

And an WNBA record audience of 2.45 million tuned in for the draft.
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Clark’s high school coach, Kristin Meyer, accepted the award on her behalf at the New York Athletic Club. Clark gave her acceptance speech via Zoom.

“The AAU Sullivan Award is an incredible honor,” Clark said.

“I have been inspired by so many athletes that came before me and I hope I can be that same inspiration for the next generation to follow their dreams.”

Voting by the public, the AAU Sullivan Award committee, AAU board of directors, sports media and previous winners decided the winner. The award also honors leadership, citizenship, character and sportsmanship on and off the playing field.

I have been inspired by so many athletes that came before me.

Caitlin Clark

The other finalists were Olympic wrestler David Taylor, Olympic speed skater Emery Lehman, gymnast Frederick Richard, Texas volleyball player Madisen Skinner and Paralympic swimmer Noah Jaffe.

Meanwhile, more details have been reported about Clark’s new deal with Nike.

The contract is expected to be worth $28 million over eight years and will include a signature shoe.

Both the Wall Street Journal and The Athletic have reported the pending deal.

Clark’s fame is sure to grow further in the coming years, especially as she starts to play in the WNBA.

She seems set to become one of the most famous names in all of American sports.