Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark will be an All-Star, despite being ranked ninth by her fellow players in ballots released Monday.
Several members of the sports media landscape, including legendary ESPN commentator Dick Vitale, are furious.
“Absolutely PURE JEALOUSY that @WNBA players voted Caitlin Clark the 9th best guard. Some day they will realize what she Has done for ALL of the players in the WNBA,” Vitale posted on X. “Chartered planes — increase in salaries — sold out crowds — improved TV Ratings.”
Clark, now in her second WNBA season, was still named an All-Star captain after dominating the fan voting. She finished third in media voting.
Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier was named the other captain for the festivities, which begin July 18 in Indianapolis.
The two stars will draft their squads from a pool of eight other starters and a group of reserves selected by the league’s coaches.
Despite the nod, much of Clark’s rabid fan base was angered by the player ballots.
“When Jordan, LeBron, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Usain Bolt, Tom Brady and Messi came on the scene, everyone didn’t like them but they recognized their greatness and respected it while competing their butts off to stop them,” former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III wrote on Tuesday. “They didn’t vote them low on purpose.”
After catching fire toward the end of her rookie season, Clark has struggled in her sophomore campaign.
Quad and groin injuries have caused her to miss several games. Combined with an uncharacteristic shooting slump, the Iowa product has shot just 39% from the floor and converted 29.5% of her three-pointers.
Clark is still averaging 18.2 points per game with five rebounds and 8.9 assists.
She is questionable to return from injury for Tuesday’s Commissioner’s Cup title game against Collier and the Lynx in Minneapolis.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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