In a milestone that cements her as basketball’s brightest young star, Caitlin Clark has earned a spot on Forbes’ prestigious 30 Under 30 list for 2025 in the sports category. At just 23 years old, the Indiana Fever guard joins elite company alongside NBA sensation Jayson Tatum and rugby icon Ilona Maher, recognized for her explosive impact on women’s basketball.
Selected as the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Clark shattered records and revitalized her team in her rookie season, proving she’s more than a phenom—she’s a game-changer.
Clark’s journey began in Des Moines, Iowa, where her sharpshooting and logo threes turned heads early. At the University of Iowa, she redefined college hoops, shattering the NCAA all-time scoring record with 3,951 points and securing two Naismith Player of the Year awards. Her Final Four runs drew record viewership, blending highlight-reel dunks with heartfelt advocacy for gender equity in sports. Transitioning to the pros, Clark didn’t miss a beat. She led the Fever to their first playoffs in eight years, broke the WNBA single-season assists record with 337 dimes, and notched the first rookie triple-double in league history. Off the court, she topped All-Star voting with over 700,000 ballots, boosting attendance by 48% and elevating jersey sales to No. 2 across NBA and WNBA.
Forbes lauds Clark not just for stats, but for her cultural ripple: “She has been credited with pushing up league viewership and attendance.” As the sole WNBA representative—edging out peers like Angel Reese—her inclusion underscores a new era for the league. Fans buzzed when the WNBA overlooked the announcement, but Clark’s shine needs no spotlight.
Looking ahead, with endorsements from Nike and State Farm, Clark eyes deeper playoff runs and Olympic gold in 2028. At 23, she’s already a billionaire in influence, inspiring Gen Z to dream big. Women’s basketball owes her a debt; the world, endless gratitude.