After the WNBA officially announced Caitlin Clark as the 2024 Rookie of the Year, Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman made sure to give the Indiana Fever star the credit she deserves.

Clark beat Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese for the WNBA award, and it wasn’t even close. The All-Star playmaker got 66 of 67 votes, falling just one shy to becoming the first guard to win unanimous Rookie of the Year.

The Fever phenom, who made the All-Star team as a rookie, finished the year averaging 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and a WNBA-best 8.4 assists per game. She was also fourth in MVP voting after she propelled Indiana to a 20-20 record and into the postseason.

More than her sensational play on the court, however, Clark’s biggest impact has been on the WNBA’s viewership, with the league experiencing massive growth in game attendance, TV viewership and merchandise sales.

Considering everything she has done in just her first year, Lieberman couldn’t be more impressed by Clark. And she made that abundantly clear in her comment following the 22-year-old’s Rookie of the Year win.

“Congratulations on this amazing award,” Lieberman said. “It’s hard to surpass expectation, and you did. We are [proud of] each and every game you played.”

Nancy Lieberman is considered one of the most-respected figures in US women’s basketball, so her praise of Caitlin Clark certainly speaks volumes.

For what it’s worth, it’s not only Lieberman who has been complimentary of Clark. After the Fever star reflected on her rookie year recently, NBA shooting legend Reggie Miller showed his respect by calling her a “baller.”

YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, meanwhile, described Clark as a “game-changer.”

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark.

Indeed, what Clark has done for the WNBA in her first year is unprecedented and deserves recognition.