ESPN Ranking Caitlin Clark as WNBA’s 10th Best Player Angers Fans – “Anything For Clicks”

Caitlin Clark has so far garnered an All-WNBA first-team selection and 4th place in the MVP voting in her one and a quarter year in the league.

ESPN Ranking Caitlin Clark as WNBA’s 10th Best Player Angers Fans – “Anything For Clicks”

ESPN ranks Caitlin Clark 10th (Image via FirstSportz)

In Short
  • Caitlin Clark was ranked 10th in ESPN's Top 50 WNBA players heading into the 2026 season, sparking fan outrage.
  • Fans criticized ESPN for downplaying her skills, labeling her primarily as a playmaker and shooter.
  • Clark injured her knee in their preseason game against the Wings but shrugged it off.

During her rookie season and last year, Caitlin Clark proved she is one of the best players in the league, even though injuries and her subsequent shooting struggles hampered her growth.

The Indiana Fever’s offense runs through her, and they rely on the 6’0″ guard’s electric scoring to stretch defenses. That allows her teammates to wreak havoc in the space she creates.

On the other hand, too much dependency on the Iowa native can have adverse effects on the WNBA’s physical and competitive environment.

The best American and international players ply their trade in this league, which is why the young superstar has been working hard to find counter moves to anything defenses throw at her.

But she could not bring them into effect last year after injuries stopped her at 13 games. Maybe that is why ESPN decided to name her 10th in their list of Top 50 WNBA players heading into the 2026 season.

The network had its reasons to name others above her on this list. But what caught the attention of fans was the explanation they provided for ranking her behind some of the others.

This year, Caitlin Clark will be looking to reach her potential. But for now, what fans are concerned about is how the league and its partners view her.

Fans fume at Caitlin Clark’s ranking

The majority of the fans had a problem with ESPN explaining that Caitlin Clark essentially has two skills: being a stellar playmaker and a lights-out shooter from beyond the perimeter.

Fans argued that the 24-year-old brings a lot more to the game, as is evident from her being at the top of every scouting report. Players above her also draw such focus, but some of the selections baffled fans.

They felt that ESPN was intentionally diminishing the Fever superstar to rage-bait fans into engaging with their post. Check out examples of those reactions below.

Caitlin Clark impacts a game differently than quite a few of the players above her. She may not have the statistical or other accolades to prove that, but there is a reason why opposing defenses concentrate on her.

But fans felt that ESPN was undermining her talent merely by painting her as a stellar playmaker and three-point shooter, while leaving out what makes the point guard lethal.

Caitlin Clark shrugs off injury

Heading into this WNBA season, Caitlin Clark’s fans were hoping that she had finally left the injury bug behind. They know that only then can she perform to her limits.

Caitlin Clark battling Paige Bueckers
Caitlin Clark battling Paige Bueckers (Image via Underdog WNBA/X)

After a decent performance in the first preseason game, it was time for the superstar to face her friend and college rival Paige Bueckers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

The two started off with a banger as both were trading baskets to end up in double digits before the end of the first half. Then, Clark appeared to have injured herself and did not return to the game.

I just landed on my kneecap really hard.

Caitlin Clark told reporters

She said this with a smile, as if to suggest that she is fine and no one needs to worry. Naturally, the Fever will check her knee so that it does not become a spot of bother with the regular season approaching.

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