Caitlin Clark Will Be Legitimate WNBA MVP Contender in 2025

The Indiana Fever star is building on a historic rookie season to challenge A’ja Wilson for MVP honors in 2025.

As the WNBA prepares for its 2025 season, Caitlin Clark finds herself in uncharted territory. After a sensational rookie campaign with the Indiana Fever that earned her Rookie of the Year honors and a fourth-place finish in MVP voting, Clark is undoubtedly the league's brightest young star.

Now, entering her second season, Clark is looking to become just the second player to win MVP in one of her first two seasons, with Candice Parker earning the award as a rookie in 2008. BetMGM currently has Clark listed as the second favorite for MVP at +250, just behind reigning MVP A’ja Wilson (+185).

Clark’s rookie season was a tale of two halves. Over her first 20 games, she averaged 16 points and 7 assists per game—impressive for a first-year player. However, it was in the final 18 games that Clark showcased her full potential, averaging 23.6 points and 10 assists per outing. That second-half explosion not only demonstrated her ability to adjust to WNBA defenses but also set the stage for a breakout sophomore season. With a full offseason to refine her game and a new head coach in Stephanie White, Clark is primed to build on her late-season momentum.

Offensively, Clark is a generational talent. Her full-season rookie averages of 19.2 points, 7.8 assists, and 5.6 rebounds per game were accompanied by an incredible range that stretched opposing defenses. Despite shooting 41.7% from the field and 34.4% from three-point range—solid but not elite—Clark’s ability to create her own shot and score in volume makes her a nightmare for opponents.

In order to take home MVP in 2025, Clark will have to improve her shooting efficiency. She faced smothering defensive pressure as a rookie, which often forced her into tough shots, but with experience and better game planning under White, Clark should see those percentages climb.

Turnovers are also a huge area of improvement. Clark’s 5.6 turnovers per game in 2024 led the league by a wide margin. If she doesn’t clean up that area of her game, that’s something that will work against her in the MVP conversation. If she’s able to limit those mistakes, the Fever will boost its win total from last year and, by extension, Clark’s MVP case. Star players are held to high standards, and if Clark can tighten her control while continuing to elevate her team, she’ll solidify her place among the league’s elite.

Beyond the numbers, Clark’s impact is transformative. She’s already one of the most marketable and influential players in the league, bringing new fans and attention to the WNBA. If she can lead the Fever—a team that was among the worst in the league before she came along —into playoff contention for the second straight year, her narrative as a young superstar carrying her franchise to relevance will be hard to ignore, thus positioning herself as a true MVP candidate in 2025.

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Featured Image Photo Credit: Imagn