Caitlin Clark wins back-to-back James E. Sullivan Awards for the first time in honor’s 94-year histoy

Caitlin Clark won consecutive James E. Sullivan Awards for the first time in the award’s 94-year history, after recently being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft.

The Iowa basketball star claimed the award Tuesday night. The James E. Sullivan Award is presented to the most outstanding athlete at the collegiate or Olympic level in the United States.

Clark high school coach Kristin Meyer accepted the award on behalf of the Indiana Fever point guard at the New York Athletic Club. Clark delivered her acceptance speech via Zoom. She was drafted by the Fever earlier this month after leading Iowa to the NCAA Final Four for the second straight year.

Voting by the public, the AAU Sullivan Award committee, the AAU board of directors, sports media and past winners decided the winner.

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.

The 21-year-old was drafted by the Fever after leading Iowa to another Final Four appearance.

The award also honors leadership, citizenship, character and sportsmanship on and off the field of play.

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

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

She has been the main driver of the dramatic rise in interest in women’s basketball with her combination of deep three-point shooting, flashy passing and overall court presence.

A women’s basketball record 18.9 million viewers watched Iowa’s loss to South Carolina in the NCAA title game, and a WNBA record 2.45 million watched the draft.