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DiJonai Carrington's Prediction Goes Viral After Caitlin Clark's WNBA Assist Record

Adam WellsSeptember 14, 2024

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SEPTEMBER 13: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever dribbles the ball during the game against the Las Vegas Aces on September 13, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Bri Lewerke/NBAE via Getty Images)
Bri Lewerke/NBAE via Getty Images

Connecticut Sun guard DiJonai Carrington is getting the last laugh after she predicted earlier this year that Caitlin Clark would lead the WNBA in assists as a rookie.

After Clark broke the WNBA single-season record for assists on Friday night, social media brought Carrington's prediction back to the forefront.

AπŸ–€πŸ’› @ihtinbtwwdih

This just gets funnier and funnier. <a href="https://t.co/HCFXhkKMm1">https://t.co/HCFXhkKMm1</a> <a href="https://t.co/jvaw74BfBn">pic.twitter.com/jvaw74BfBn</a>

Clark broke the record previously held by Alyssa Thomas, who commented on Carrington's original prediction, with her assist to Kelsey Mitchell in the second quarter of the Indiana Fever's loss to the Las Vegas Aces.

WNBA @WNBA

Watch the dime that made history tonight πŸ’Ž<br><br>Caitlin Clark's 317th assist to break the single-season record!<br><br>Aces-Fever | ION πŸ“Ί <a href="https://t.co/Mx0IagFCSs">https://t.co/Mx0IagFCSs</a> <a href="https://t.co/O3a54EeQdP">pic.twitter.com/O3a54EeQdP</a>

WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes was also involved in that original prediction thread, posting three laughing emojis in response to Carrington and Thomas.

Sheryl Swoopes @airswoopes22

🀣🀣🀣

In addition to setting the WNBA single-season record for assists, Clark is currently leading the league with 8.4 assists per contest with only two games remaining in the regular season for the Fever. Thomas is in second place at 7.9 assists per game.

Clark's 8.4 assists per game would be the fifth-highest single-season mark in WNBA history. New York Liberty star Courtney Vandersloot owns six of the top seven spots, including each of the top four from 2018 to '21.

Carrington's prediction seemed optimistic at the time because it's not common for rookies to hit the ground running.

Of course, Clark has proven she's not like most first-year players. Even when the Fever lost eight of nine games to start the season, she was averaging 6.6 assists per game.

Since that rough start, though, Clark has looked like the generational talent she was expected to be after a historic college career at Iowa. The 22-year-old is averaging 19.6 points, 9.0 assists and 6.0 rebounds in her last 29 games.

The Fever can clinch the No. 6 seed in the playoffs with one more win or one more loss by the Phoenix Mercury.