Time magazine named Caitlin Clark to its Most Influential People in Sports list for 2026.
The legacy magazine released its 2026 list on June 9. The final group featured athletes, coaches, executives, media personalities, owners and more chosen by Time’s editors for their influence on the global sports landscape.
Here’s what Time magazine, which previously named Clark its 2024 Athlete of the Year, had to say about the former Iowa women’s basketball star’s impact in 2026.
Caitlin Clark joins global icons on Time 100 list
Time grouped the honorees in four categories: Icons, Titans, Innovators and Leaders.
At just 24 years old, Clark joined the likes of NBA star LeBron James and soccer royalty Lionel Messi in the icon category. Four-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson was also recognized as an icon.
Clark, Wilson and WNBA Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike (Titans) were the only active WNBA players to make the list.
“When the history of women’s basketball is written, expect a chapter — or two or three — on Caitlin Clark, whose showmanship and three-point exploits, in both college and the WNBA, have brought unprecedented attention to the game,” wrote Time senior sports correspondent Sean Gregory.
Gregory recapped the West Des Moines native’s career and accolades in his write-up, including some of her recent accomplishments, such as becoming the fastest player in WNBA history to record 1,000-plus points, 250-plus rebounds, and 250-plus assists during the Indiana Fever’s season opener on May 9.
Clark, a Dowling Catholic alum, hit that milestone in just 54 career games, besting Diana Taurasi’s previous mark of 62 games.
She also became the fastest player in WNBA history to record 500 career assists, hitting the mark on May 28 in the Fever’s loss to the Golden State Valkyries.
When does Caitlin Clark play next?
The Fever’s (9-5) next game is against the Atlanta Dream on Thursday, June 18. Tipoff is at 6:30 p.m. CT on Prime Video.
In 13 games this season, Clark is averaging 20.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 8.3 assists on 40.2% shooting from the field.
Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at cworth@gannett.com or follow him on X @CooperAWorth.
This article originally appeared on Hawk Central: Caitlin Clark joins Cristiano Ronaldo, Rory McIlroy on Time’s 100 list
Reporting by Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register / Hawk Central
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By Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register | USA TODAY Network
