Even on the sidelines, Caitlin Clark remains the WNBA’s biggest headline. A quadriceps injury may have benched her, but the league’s ratings, attendance, and momentum revealed just how essential she is to the game's pulse. And when she returned? Fireworks.

The 2025 WNBA rookie class isn’t just adjusting to the league—they’re transforming it. Paige Bueckers is breaking records in Dallas, Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen are fueling a Mystics resurgence, and Dominique Malonga’s international flair is electrifying Seattle. Their early dominance is reshaping the league’s present and future.

Caitlin Clark isn’t just taking deep threes—she’s taking women’s basketball to new heights. From record-breaking viewership to packed arenas and a multi-billion dollar media deal, Clark’s influence goes far beyond the court. But can she truly become one of the most impactful athletes of all time? This article explores her rise, her role in reshaping the WNBA, and the movement she’s sparked in sports and society.