Despite being just 26 games into her rookie season, Caitlin Clark has quickly made her mark in the WNBA, mirroring her impressive stint with the Iowa Hawkeyes. The No. 1 overall draft pick is on a fast track to win Rookie of the Year and shows no signs of slowing down.

Clark has been breaking records and significantly contributing to the Indiana Fever’s turnaround. Currently holding the No. 7 spot in the standings, the Fever are poised for their first playoff appearance since 2016, provided they maintain their position after the Olympic break.

Her outstanding performance has propelled the Indiana Fever to No. 6 in CBS Sports’ WNBA Power Rankings. The media has praised her as “the real deal” early in her career.

**6. Indiana Fever**

*The good: Caitlin Clark is the real deal*

In the last game before the break, Clark set the WNBA’s all-time single-game assist record with 19 and now leads the league in assists at 8.2 per game. After a few weeks to adjust, she has firmly established herself as one of the league’s top playmakers and is the clear favorite for Rookie of the Year. – Jack Maloney, CBS Sports

After a grueling start to her rookie year, Clark demonstrated that she just needed a bit of rest to find her rhythm. With a month off during the Olympic break—an event she wasn’t selected for—Clark will have the chance to rest and recover. Having transitioned directly from her senior year at Iowa to WNBA action, this break could be crucial for continuing the Fever’s climb in the power rankings and potentially securing a higher playoff seed.

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