Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark enjoyed a memorable rookie season in 2024 to say the least. Clark's immense popularity was a primary talking point, but the guard's performance on the floor was impressive as well. In fact, Clark even finished fourth in 2024 WNBA MVP voting... as a rookie. What should fans expect from the former Iowa women's basketball star in 2025? Well, Clark should have a legitimate opportunity to improve in MVP voting, and she could even win the award.
Now it is rare for a player to reach MVP-level status in only their second season. Can it happen? Absolutely, but doing so requires a number of factors to fall in the right direction for the player.
Fever expected to improve
The MVP is an individual award for the most part. However, team performance unquestionably plays a role in voters' final decisions. Indiana performed well in 2024, but they were not a true championship contender.
The Fever may not take home a WNBA Finals victory in 2025, but they are likely going to improve. Indiana has made an effort to bring in veteran help around Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell this offseason. As a result, the team will be better prepared to compete at a high level.
Caitlin Clark's comfort level set to increase
Last year, as mentioned, Clark's popularity was a talking point. In all reality, a "talking point" doesn't even come close to defining what occurred last year. Clark's popularity was the talking point. Every move she made was analyzed by everyone.
Will there be some of that in 2025? Yes, but it should take a backseat. After all, the WNBA truly knows who Clark is now. The hope is that the attention will be more on her performance as opposed to her celebrity status.
Clark should be able to become even more comfortable at the WNBA level as a result.
The 23-year-old averaged 19.1 points, 8.4 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals per outing in 2024 en route to winning Rookie of the Year. She shot just 41.7 percent from the field and 34.4 percent from beyond the arc, however. Clark also averaged an unsightly 5.6 turnovers per contest.
Clark's fairly inefficient shooting and turnover concerns are partly a product of increased defensive focus on her, but they also could partly be a product of the immense pressure she faced as a rookie. With that pressure potentially set to decline in 2025, Clark should take a step forward when it comes to finding the bottom of the net on a consistent basis and limiting mistakes on the floor.
Will Clark win the 2025 WNBA MVP Award?
The bold prediction here is that Clark will finish top three in MVP voting at the very least. Could that result in an MVP win? It is possible, but A'ja Wilson is still the best player in the league and she will surely make another MVP push this season.