Author: lehang1

Caitlyn Clark has undeniably made an extraordinary impact on the WNBA and women’s basketball, establishing herself as a phenomenon unlike any other. From her record-breaking rookie season to her global recognition as Athlete of the Year, Clark has transcended the sport, drawing attention to the WNBA like never before. Not only has she shattered 62 records, but her influence extends far beyond the court.

With her remarkable performance, Clark has ignited a surge in merchandise sales, viewership, and overall excitement about women’s basketball. Her rookie season alone contributed a staggering $36 million to the city of Indianapolis, and experts predict that professional women’s basketball will see its value skyrocket by $1.6 billion in just the next three years. Her ability to connect with fans and generate significant economic impact has been compared to that of Michael Jordan, not necessarily in terms of athleticism, but in the transformative value she brings to her league.

However, as her star has risen, so has the drama. The so-called rivalry between Clark and Angel Reese has sparked heated debates. While Reese is a talented player in her own right, Clark’s unparalleled skill and influence have made her the face of women’s basketball.

Despite the media’s framing of their competition, it’s become clear that Clark’s level of impact and skill is unmatched in the WNBA. The attention surrounding her, though, has raised concerns among some veterans and former players, who worry that the spotlight on one athlete could overshadow the contributions of others.

Nevertheless, this attention has ultimately benefited the league by generating more conversation around women’s basketball, drawing new fans, and proving that the sport can be just as thrilling and compelling as its male counterparts.

Clark’s success is not just about individual achievements; it represents a seismic shift for the entire WNBA. She has set a new standard for what it means to have a breakout season, and her journey continues to inspire the next generation of players and fans.

The so-called rivalry with Reese, while adding drama and excitement, is only a small part of the bigger picture. What matters most is the impact Clark has had on the visibility and growth of women’s basketball. The future of the sport looks brighter than ever, and Caitlyn Clark is at the forefront, showing us just how powerful and transformative an athlete’s influence can be.

Angel Reese has once again taken over social media, leaving her followers drooling all over the place.

The Chicago Sky forward was back on social media this week to show her fans her outfit for Christmas.

This time, she’s fully embracing the holiday spirit; Reese posted herself in some Christmas green shorts pajamas while dancing with the words “Big Mama” on the back.

Angel made sure to add her signature flair. As you can see, she effortlessly blended her Christmas spirit with the season’s colors.

Reese has never been afraid to flaunt her assets online, so some small shorts that show off her curves were not shocking to anybody who has been following her for years.

Selected 7th overall by Chicago, Reese showed she could play at the next level as she averaged 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds in her rookie season.

She was neck and neck with Caitlin Clark for the Rookie of the Year award until a late injury prematurely ended her year.

Reese received one vote for the Rookie of the Year award that ultimately went to Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark.

Angel Reese Has Noticeable Effect At Sporting Events

Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese has been enjoying her first WNBA offseason.

Reese has been seen at NFL games, NBA games, celebrity parties, and other exciting events.

Reese attended an NFL game for four consecutive weekends back in September and October.

It has since been noticed that the home team has won every match Reese has attended. Her record extends to NBA games as well.

Reese’s insane home team win streak when she’s attending games has been improved to 12-0.

 

It is almost a wrap on the glorious year. The 2024 rookie class made a historic debut, New York won its first-ever title, women’s basketball saw new heights, and the players — active and former — end the year laid back, with love, and some words of advice.

From celebrated coach Dawn Staley to college phenom Flau’Jae Johnson, love was a common theme, but twists to the celebrations, they had their own. Here’s how:

Angel Reese

The journey from Bayou Barbie to Chi-town Barbie hasn’t been easy for 22-year-old Maryland native Angel Reese. Yet, she shined in her debut WNBA season. On and off the court, Reese was a standout, averaging nearly 13 points and 13 rebounds per game, marking her place in history with the highest double-double streak as a rookie. She is all set to take over at Unrivaled soon, already making it to Miami and back in the gym.

But taking a quick turn, Reese claims to have had a wonderful Christmas. “this christmas was sooo good <3 #blessedgirl,” she wrote, after sending out wishes and before revealing she also had some time to enjoy a nice healthy meal alongside a glass of wine.

She was also spotted courtside at an Orlando Magic game in a black dress, adorned by fur for the sleeves and the shoulder. Hours later, she was at home, comfortable in her green checkered pajamas and dancing with her dog Tiago, with “Big Mama” emblazoned on the back.

Flau’Jae Johnson

For Angel Reese’s friend and former teammate Flau’Jae Johnson, Christmas was just as special. After a busy year at LSU, Flau’Jae took a break from basketball and rapping to focus on love. Dressed in holiday red, she shared a picture with her boyfriend, Chris Hilton Jr., both wearing matching festive pajamas, captioning it “Santa Listened” with a red heart. Fans couldn’t get enough of this holiday power couple.

Dawn Staley

Dawn Staley had a remarkable 2024, capturing moments with Olympians across various sports and leading the South Carolina Gamecocks to an impressive 11-1 record. Celebrating their first back-to-back championship title, Staley didn’t miss the chance to spread holiday cheer. She tweeted, “Merriest Christmas to you all!” and reminded everyone to be kind and non-judgmental.

via Imago

“As we open our gifts, let’s not forget the gift of being a loving, caring, and non-judging human being. Let’s keep spreading it…or let’s start spreading it! Blessings to you all!” Staley’s message resonated, especially with players who often face criticism. What else would have been the perfect occasion for spreading message?

Haley Cavinder

The Cavinder twins never fail to create buzz on social media. This Christmas, Haley and her sister wore matching short cut-out dresses. Haley opted for a golden glittery dress paired with long black boots and loose waves in her hair, all while flashing a broad smile. “Merry Christmas” read her caption.

The twins shared snaps of their holiday meals, their three dogs, and even a photo with their mom and a friend, completing their Christmas celebration.

Katie Lou Samuelson

Indiana Fever standout Katie Lou Samuelson had a delightful Christmas in Greece. Married to an American professional basketball player, she spent the holiday with her husband and their little daughter. “Took a few Elfies today 😉🤣 Merry Christmas from Greece 🎄❤️🥰” she captioned, sharing family glimpses and showcasing their tight bond.

Napheesa Collier

Napheesa Collier also cherished Christmas with her family. She stunned in a green bodycon dress paired with white blingy heels, matching her husband’s green sweater. Their daughter looked equally adorable in a green skirt and white stockings. “Merry Christmas from our family to yours 🎄🎁” she captioned. The family of three also wore matching pajamas, spreading holiday cheer.

Breanna Stewart

The holidays cannot be merrier for Breanna Stewart especially after winning 2024 WNBA championship trophy. To make it more special, she along with her wife, Marta Xargay embraced the holiday spirit, dressing in red co-ord sets along with their two children.

“Merry Christmas from the Stewart Xargay family! Slide 1 vs 3: Instagram vs reality trying to get a family photo ❤️🎄” Stewart wrote, sharing their joyful family moments, as their youngest failed to sit still in the final slide.

Cameron Brink

Cameron Brink kept her Christmas celebration elegant yet simple, donning a black turtleneck paired with a fur-laden skirt and matching stilettos. Her caption, “All I want for Christmas is a healthy knee😇” highlighted her anticipation to return to the court after an ACL injury in June.

Chiney Ogwumike

Chiney Ogwumike who transitioned smoothly from the basketball court to being an ESPN analyst, had a glamorous Christmas. She celebrated the festival at the White House, wearing a glittering golden dress and sharing her joy with the world. “A White House Holiday” she tweeted, looking impressive as ever. But as a basketball fan, she also gushed over the day bringing a matchup between LeBron James and Stephen Curry. “It doesn’t get better than LeBron and Steph ballin out on Christmas Day!!!” she exclaimed.

Candace Parker

Former player Candace Parker enjoyed a family-themed Christmas, with the Parker family dressed in black and white. Even the youngest member, Summit Petrakova Parker, looked adorable in the matching outfit and a huge smile. “Merry Christmas from the Parkers ❤️❤️” she captioned, sharing their festive joy.

Sydney Colson

Las Vegas Aces standout Sydney Colson indeed had a merry Christmas, celebrated by AU Pro Basketball — where she is set to return in 2025 — who posted a tribute on Twitter. She was featured in a fun collage as “one of the faces of the league,” making for an adorable holiday card.

For some of these, it is a brief break before the Unrivaled begins about mind-January. Seems to emit calm before the storm.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark was named the Associated Press’ Female Athlete of the Year on Tuesday for her impact both on and off the court.

She was the first overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, then went on to make the WNBA All-Star team, win the league’s rookie of the year award and earn All-WNBA First Team in her first season. Fans packed out arenas to watch Clark play and for those not local, she was must-see television.

According to the Associated Press, a group of 74 sports journalists from the AP and its members voted on the award, where Clark received 35 votes. Olympic gymnast Simone Biles was second place with 25 votes, while boxer Imane Khalif was third with four.

Clark is the fourth women’s basketball player to win the award since its inception in 1931. She joins Sheryl Swoopes (1993), Rebecca Lobo (1995) and Candace Parker (2008, 2021) as other basketball stars to receive the honor.

“I grew up a fan of Candace Parker and the people who came before me and to be honored in this way, is super special and I’m thankful,” Clark told the AP. “It was a great year for women’s basketball.”

Add it the long list of accolades in a historic year for Clark and women’s basketball.

Caitlin Clark raised the profile of women’s basketball to unprecedented levels in both the college ranks and the WNBA, and Tuesday she was named the AP Female Athlete of the Year for her impact on and off the court.

After leading Iowa to the national championship game, Clark was the top pick in the WNBA draft as expected and went on to win rookie of the year honors in the league. Fans packed sold-out arenas and millions of television viewers tuned in to follow her journey. Clark’s exploits were far reaching, casting a light on other women’s sports leagues along the way.

A group of 74 sports journalists from The Associated Press and its members voted on the award. Clark received 35 votes, Olympic gymnast Simone Biles was second with 25 and boxer Imane Khelif was third, getting four votes.

Clark is only the fourth women’s basketball player to be honored as the female athlete of the year since it was first presented in 1931, joining Sheryl Swoopes (1993), Rebecca Lobo (1995) and Candace Parker (2008, 2021).

“I grew up a fan of Candace Parker and the people who came before me and to be honored in this way, is super special and I’m thankful,” Clark said in a phone interview. “It was a great year for women’s basketball and women’s sports.”

Shohei Ohtani won the AP Male Athlete of the Year on Monday for the third time.

Clark broke the NCAA Division I career scoring record for both men and women finishing her career with 3,951 points while guiding Iowa to its second consecutive national championship game. After her Hawkeyes lost t South Carolina for the title, Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley took the mic during her team’s celebration and said, “I want to personally thank Caitlin Clark for lifting up our sport.”

For all the success Clark has had and the attention she has brought to women’s basketball, she is often the centerpiece of debates and online toxicity towards her and other players in the league.

For her part, Clark has disavowed the toxic discourse.

Lobo also has been impressed with the way the 22-year-old Clark has handled the pressure and attention that has come her way.

“I would say she’s navigated it almost flawlessly. she hasn’t had an big missteps or misspeaks at a time you’re under constant scrutiny,” Lobo said. “She’s seemed to say and do all the right things. That’s just incredible at a time when it’s constant attention and scrutiny. She has not done anything to tarnish this sort of mild persona she has.”

As Clark handled the praise — and the backlash — during the heat of competition, it was hard for her to appreciate just what she was able accomplish over the past year. But after having time to reflect on the whirlwind tour, she appreciates those who were there alongside her for the ride.

“I’m thankful for the people I got to do it with,” Clark said. “A year ago I was still in the early part of my senior year in college. … How fast things change, and now I can see how great a college season it was.”

Iowa sold out all of its games at home and on the road with Clark as the main attraction. That momentum continued into the pros. Her No. 22 jersey was prevalent wherever she played during her rookie season and will be retired at Iowa.

“You’d be remiss not to acknowledge how crazy her fan base is and the eyes she gets with everything she does,” said Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, who was often spotted courtside at Clark’s Indiana Fever games. “It’s a different type of popularity, she’s one of the most popular athletes in the world. It’s not just women’s sports anymore.

“It’s really cool to see and she just handles it with such grace.”

Clark said she enjoys spending time with fans at games, usually taking a few minutes before and after games to sign autographs.

“For me it’s still really fun,” she said. “Whether it’s 15 seconds or 10 seconds or 5 seconds can be very impactful in a young girl and young boys life. Seeing the fans going crazy an hour before tipoff, I never take that for granted. That’s super cool and I never want that to go away.”

After a slow start to her WNBA career, Clark eventually found her stride there too. She set the single-game assist record with 19 and also had 337 assists on the season to break that mark as well. Clark, known for her logo-distance 3-pointers, was the fastest player to reach 100 3’s when she did it in 34 games which helped Indiana reach the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

Lobo, who won the AP female athlete of the year award after lifting UConn to its first national championship, was on the court for launch of the WNBA two years later. The ESPN analyst sees Clark’s ascension as something different.

“She’s brought unprecedented attention both in the building, but also viewership to the sport that was worthy of it but didn’t have it yet,” Lobo said. “There’s never been anything like this.

“That timeframe from 1995-97 was a baby step in the progression of it all. This is a giant leap forward. I’ve never seen anything like this. There’s more attention then the sports ever had.”

The numbers have been record breaking when Clark is part of a broadcast:

— TV viewership in the WNBA was up 300% thanks in large part to Clark with ABC, CBS, ION, ESPN, and ESPN2 all having record viewers when Fever games were on.

— The NCAA women’s championship game outdrew the men on TV for the first time in the sport’s 42-year history with 18.9 million viewers tuning it to watch the event. It was the second most watched women’s sporting event outside of the Olympics in the history of U.S. television.

— The 2024 WNBA draft was the most-watched in league history with 2.4 million viewers.

Clark credits the community of women athletes for the popularity increase of women’s sports, saying “we” did this or “we” did that when asked about it.

“It’s fascinating, you don’t always appreciate how many people 18 million is,” Clark said. “You see that number against a college football game or the Masters or whatever it is as far as the biggest sporting events in our country and it puts it in perspective. We outdrew the men’s Final Four.”

Mar 31, 2022; Minneapolis, MN, USA; ESPN analyst Rebecca Lobo poses during NCAA Womens Final Four press conference at Target Center. 

While many people within the sports media world have given Caitlin Clark her flowers across her incredible basketball career, few have achieved a comparable degree of on-court success as the 22-year-old.

One person who has is Rebecca Lobo, who has been inducted into both the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, won an Olympics gold medal with Team USA in 1996, was a 1995 NCAA champion at UConn, and became a 1999 WNBA All-Star.

Lobo, who has been an outspoken Clark advocate, had some high praise for Clark once it was announced that Fever superstar was named AP Female Athlete of the Year for 2024 — which is an award Lobo also earned back in 1995.

“I would say she’s navigated it almost flawlessly. She hasn’t had any big missteps or misspeaks at a time you’re under constant scrutiny,” Lobo said of Clark in a December 24 article from the Associated Press. “She’s seemed to say and do all the right things. That’s just incredible at a time when it’s constant attention and scrutiny. She has not done anything to tarnish this sort of mild persona she has.”

Lobo later added, “She’s brought unprecedented attention both in the building, but also viewership to the sport that was worthy of it but didn’t have it yet.

“There’s never been anything like this,” she added.

It’s cool to hear Lobo admit the run Clark is on has never been done before, especially given everything she has accomplished in her own basketball career.

This article was originally published on www.si.com/onsi/womens-fastbreak as WNBA Legend Rebecca Lobo Praises Caitlin Clark’s Poise Amid Most Recent Award Win.

Two weeks after being named TIME Athlete of the Year, Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark has received another major award. Clark — who broke the NCAA Division I basketball’s all-time scoring record and drove record WNBA viewership and attendance to new heights — was named the AP Female Athlete of the Year on Tuesday morning.

The award is voted on by 74 sports reporters from The Associated Press. Clark received 35 votes, Olympic gymnast Simone Biles received 25, and boxer Imane Khelif received four votes.

Clark is the fourth women’s basketball player to receive the honor, joining Sheryl Swoopes (1993), Rebecca Lobo (1995) and Candace Parker (2008, 2021).

Clark is still in the beginning of her WNBA career, but she’s already set a tremendous list of records as a professional. She was a near-unanimous Rookie of the Year, and was named to the First Team All-WNBA.

Her WNBA records include the most assists in a rookie season, most points in a rookie season, most points by a point guard in WNBA history, WNBA single-season record for assists, WNBA single-game record for assists (19), fastest WNBA player to reach 100 three-pointers, and the list goes on.

Before being picked first overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Clark led the University of Iowa to back-to-back national championship appearances and set numerous collegiate records. She also became the only women’s Division I basketball player in collegiate history to lead the country in both points and assists.

But, above all that she accomplished on the court, Caitlin Clark helped elevate the WNBA to new heights. In 2023, the Fever averaged 4,067 fans per game. The following season, they led the league with over 17,000 fans per game. When the Fever were on the road, teams routinely upgraded to larger arenas to accommodate more fans; the Fever’s regular-season finale in Washington DC broke the WNBA’s attendance record with 20,711 fans. Clark also contributed to unprecedented WNBA television viewership; 19 of her games drew more than one million TV viewers.

In an interview with the AP, Clark expressed her gratitude for the honor.

“I grew up a fan of Candace Parker and the people who came before me and to be honored in this way, is super special and I’m thankful,” she said. “It was a great year for women’s basketball and women’s sports.”

The Associated Press women’s player of the year was recently named. It was WNBA player Caitlin Clark. Clark had a significant impact in the league this year both in terms of performance and in bringing viewership in her rookie season itself. Thus, she won 35 votes. The athlete who finished second was the goat Simone Biles, who had a brilliant Paris Olympics where she ended up winning four medals.

Simone had a point to prove after so many people doubted her after her withdrawal from the Tokyo Olympics. But the gymnast showed her expertise on the mat and grabbed three gold medals. This earned her 25 votes from the jury. However, what caught fan’s attention was the third athlete on the list and the fact that the Associated Press gave Olympic gold medalist Imane Khelif a place in the final.

The boxer has been under a lot of scrutiny and a topic of numerous raging debates ever since she made her first appearance in the Paris Olympics. This is because many have claimed that Imane, who competes in the female category, is a biological male. The rumors of this intensified even more when one of her opponents, Angela Carini, forfeited her bout against Imane Khelif as one of her punches hit her way too hard. This led to many fans asking for her disqualification from the competition. But Imane went on to win the gold medal, which did not sit right with many.

These people have been angered even more after she received four votes for the female athlete of the year, leading them to express their anger on social media. They believed that, as the case of Imane being a male or female still lies in ambiguity, it wasn’t right for her to be standing with two incredibly accomplished women athletes, Simone Biles and Caitlin Clark. Some, who have already made up their minds on Imane Khelif’s gender, have even trolled the boxer on social media.

One fan crudely said, “What a farce he/it got 4 votes! A group of 74 sports journalists from The Associated Press and its members voted on the award. Clark received 35 votes, Olympic gymnast Simone Biles was second with 25, and boxer Imane Khelif was third, getting four votes.” Thus, some fans were quite unhappy about the whole thing.

Olympics gold medalist’s inclusion in list sparks huge debate

Most fans were left immensely unhappy with the decision to give Imane Khelif a place in the finals of the Female Athlete of the Year list. “How was Khelif a finalist for Female Athlete of the Year? So tired of this nonsense,” said one fan. Amidst all the rumors of Imane Khelif being a biological male, the boxer had a lot of people rooting against her and waiting for the opportunity to celebrate her defeat. However, she rose above the critics and ended up winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics.

This is why she has also gained some support from a fraction of the fans post the competition. They believe that the boxer completely deserves her medal, and anything said against her is an attempt to pull her down while she is at the top. “If Imane Khalif is a woman, her condition does not make her any less of a woman. She doesn’t need to prove anything to anyone. AND even at the end of 2024 it burns for them to see a woman succeed in a sport,” said one fan. Thus, the boxer remained a divisive subject among the fans.

But while this debate raged on, Simone Biles’ fans had a different bone to pick with the list. They completely believed that the gymnast had done enough this year in the Paris Olympics to make her the female athlete of the year over Caitlin Clarke. “I love that CC has made a huge impact on the WNBA, but she should never win any award over Simone Biles. I know gymnastics isn’t shown on ESPB every day, but people must not fully comprehend what Biles is and does. She’s the best female gymnast ever in the history of the world,” said one fan.

There is some obvious legitimacy to this claim. After all, Simone Biles winning four medals at the Olympics while defeating her rivals in gymnastics can’t be taken lightly at all. As this is such a regular task for her, many people have made the mistake of doing so, believing that this is merely habitual for her. But Simone had an extraordinary Olympics, which can very well stake a claim at the accolade.

Another fan also spoke about Simone Biles’ achievements while bringing two other candidates into the fray. “There were numerous athletes who should have been named Athlete of the Year over CC. AW scored 1000 points (first to do it) and won a gold medal. Simone Biles dominated women’s gymnastics and won multiple Olympic medals. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone dominated women’s track and field.”

A’ja Wilson played a crucial role in the US basketball team winning a gold medal at the Paris Olympics and thus deserves her flowers as well. On the other hand, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s unprecedented dominance in hurdling, where she has broken the world record six times, with two occasions coming this year, warranted a mention too. But this is not to say that Caitlin Clark or Imane Khelif deserved it any less. With fans continuing to pick sides, the list definitely seems to be controversial!

Ever since Caitlin Clark left the NCAA to set records in the WNBA, the hunt for the next generational basketball talent has intensified. Among the emerging stars, JuJu Watkins stands out with her electrifying performances for USC and record-breaking milestones. But while her game dazzles on the court, her California roots and unique circumstances create hurdles that may hinder her quest to rival Clark’s legendary NCAA career.

On the latest episode of Fearless with Jason Whitlock, Whitlock tackled the issue, highlighting the contrasting environments between Clark’s Iowa and Watkins’ Los Angeles.

“Well, Caitlin Clark was in Iowa in the middle of nowhere. She wasn’t in the entertainment capital of the world. She wasn’t in a city that had 75-degree weather year-round and open beaches. She went off or she grew up in and continued to play in a little isolated area of the country where people are starved for entertainment. And so she built a huge following right there in the state of Iowa, her home state,” he said.

The deeper issue, according to Whitlock, is the cultural and entertainment saturation of Los Angeles, where sports often compete with numerous distractions for attention. In contrast, Clark thrived in a basketball-centric environment, with little competition for local and statewide support. While Watkins’ environment may pose unique challenges, her talent remains undeniable.

She recently made history as the fastest Power Five player in women’s college basketball to reach 1,000 career points, accomplishing the feat in just 38 games—two fewer than Clark’s record. With season averages of 24.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists on 46.2% shooting, Watkins is unquestionably a dominant force. Yet, as Jason Whitlock put it, the question persists: Can she cultivate the same level of national adoration that Clark commanded?

Balancing brilliance: Can JuJu Watkins thrive amid criticism and California’s spotlight?

Adding to the debate, Rachel DeMita voiced concerns over how USC is managing Watkins’ playing time on her own podcast. “I don’t think that’s what JuJu needs for the development of her game,” DeMita said, suggesting that keeping Watkins on the court for extended minutes might be more about stat-padding than fostering her growth as a player.

Such a strategy could also increase her risk of injury, a significant concern given Watkins’ pivotal role for USC.

Despite these challenges, Watkins has demonstrated resilience and poise. Her performance this season reflects her ability to adapt and excel under pressure. However, her journey to rival Caitlin Clark’s legacy will require more than individual brilliance. Watkins must navigate the complexities of playing in a city where attention is fragmented, balancing her development with the need to draw a larger following.

Whether she can carve out her own path and emerge as a player of Clark’s stature remains uncertain. For now, her record-breaking performances and undeniable talent keep her firmly in the conversation, as the basketball world watches to see if she can overcome the challenges of her California roots and fulfill her potential as the next NCAA superstar.

WNBA vs. Caitlin Clark has always been a thing since the 23-year-old dynamo stepped into the pros. Her fans are convinced the league isn’t giving her the loyalty or recognition she deserves. And the pattern just repeated itself. Caitlin Clark was crowned AP Female Athlete of the Year, a massive honor in sports, but the WNBA’s reaction wasn’t quite the parade fans expected.

We know that Caitlin Clark is the ‘golden goose’ of W, who brought women’s basketball into the limelight like never before, leading Iowa to the national championship game and becoming the top pick in the WNBA Draft. Fans flocked to sold-out arenas, millions tuned in to watch her, and she even elevated other women’s sports leagues by association.

And this latest feat is no small feat. Since 1931, only four women’s basketball players have ever received it. Clark joins legends like Sheryl Swoopes, Rebecca Lobo, and Candace Parker. Out of 74 sports journalists who voted, Clark secured 35 votes. Gymnast Simone Biles came in second with 25, and boxer Imane Khelif snagged third place.

In true humble-star fashion, CC said, “I grew up a fan of Candace Parker and the people who came before me. To be honored in this way is super special, and I’m thankful.” She even called 2023 “a great year for women’s basketball and women’s sports.” 

Meanwhile, fans have been feeling some type of way about the WNBA’s treatment of Clark for a while now. Earlier this year, she wasn’t included on the Olympic roster. Then came the 2024 playoff promo debacle. The WNBA posted a graphic featuring stars from playoff teams but for the Indiana Fever? No Caitlin Clark.

And this time, when the rookie won the coveted Female Athlete of the Year award, the league reposted the Associated Press announcement without adding any personal flair. Compare that to Candace Parker’s win, when they rolled out a tweet writing, “More history for @Candace_Parker 📝 Congrats on being named the @AP Female Athlete of the Year 👏.” And fans are calling it out.

WNBA fans are fired up over Caitlin Clark’s AP win snub

Well, here we go again. Instead of celebrating one of the league’s brightest stars with a big, flashy post (like they’ve done for others in the past), the W simply retweeted the Associated Press announcement. One fan put it, “Girl all they did was retweet Caitlin’s post from the AP account. They have no class at all.”

We know that CC isn’t just any rookie. Her impact on the WNBA has been monumental. Along with multiple records broken, TV viewership for the league shot up by 300%, largely because of her. Networks like ABC, CBS, ION, ESPN, and ESPN2 reported record numbers when Indiana Fever games aired. With this kind of influence, fans felt Clark deserved a full-fledged post.

Then, to add fuel to the fire, the WNBA didn’t even try to play it cool. Right after retweeting the AP post, they dropped a video titled “Counting Down the Top 10 Viral Social Moments of 2024.” Fans had been willing to let it slide until after Christmas, but that video was the tipping point. As one frustrated commenter said, “Crazy work. I was tryna give excuses cause it’s Christmas Eve, but they immediately posted a video after it. Just crazy!”

And then questions arise about the league’s social media strategy—or lack thereof. A fan vented, “WNBA needs a better social media admin, man.” Because the current approach has failed to generate positive engagement, especially when moments like this come up.

A fourth wrote, “Had to bring it out before someone says they’ve never posted about it before 👀.” The contrast is glaring. Candace got a thoughtful post that screamed pride. While Caitlin got a reshare with no effort. Fans brought up Parker’s post to clearly present the inconsistency in how the league handles its star players, leaving no room for excuses.

Another fan chimed in, “No, they won’t do it because of her ‘white privilege.’” This comment stems from the controversy when the 2024 draftee, after being named Time’s Athlete of the Year, acknowledged her white privilege. While her acknowledgment was praised by some, it sparked heated debates.

For others, it makes them suspicious why the WNBA seems hesitant to embrace CC fully. So, will the WNBA redeem itself and give Caitlin Clark the spotlight she’s earned, or will this just lead to more criticism?