Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever’s rookie sensation who turned the WNBA on its head last season, has found herself embroiled in a new controversy—this time off the court. A ranking of the WNBA’s top 10 offensive players has ignited a social media firestorm after placing Clark seventh, trailing behind Seattle Storm’s All-Star Jewell Lloyd, who earns a cool $500,000.
Now, normally, fans might shrug this off as another subjective ranking, but this time, the numbers don’t seem to add up, and Clark’s army of supporters has gone full-court press on the critics.
Let’s Crunch the Numbers
Jewell Lloyd, known for her long-range shooting prowess, earned her spot on the list with an analysis emphasizing her ability to light it up from downtown. But wait—hold your applause. Lloyd shot 36.0% from the field last season, including a less-than-stellar 27.4% from beyond the arc. Sure, she averaged 19.7 points per game, but those shooting splits don’t exactly scream “offensive juggernaut.”
On the flip side, rookie Caitlin Clark—yes, rookie Caitlin Clark—was nearly as prolific, averaging 19.2 points per game while shooting a far more respectable 41.2% from the field and 34.4% from three-point range. Yet somehow, Clark finds herself ranked lower than Lloyd. Make it make sense.
Fans Bring the Receipts
Social media erupted faster than a buzzer-beater after the rankings went public. Fans accused the WNBA media of bias, with one particularly blunt tweet alleging, “Anti-white racism is entrenched in the WNBA. Caitlin could put up MVP numbers for the next 10 years, and they’d still rank her outside the top five.”
Ouch. But it didn’t stop there. Another fan mocked the publication for its lazy methods, claiming, “They fed AI a PPG list and clicked publish.” Talk about a slam dunk on shoddy journalism.
One especially frustrated fan didn’t mince words:
“CC easily #1. She’s generated more points than anybody else, and when you combine that with other offensive stats—trash-ass league run by trash clowns.”
Double ouch.
What’s Next for Caitlin Clark?
If last season was any indication, Clark thrives on adversity. The Fever went from league punching bags to playoff contenders, finishing with a solid 20-20 record in her debut season. Alongside fellow star Aliyah Boston, Clark seems primed to elevate her game even further under newly hired head coach Stephanie White, whose system reportedly plays to Clark’s strengths.
With an improving roster and a chip on her shoulder big enough to dunk on the haters, Clark enters her sophomore season as one of the league’s most intriguing players to watch. Oh, and let’s not forget the budding chemistry with Boston—WNBA defenders, consider yourselves warned.
The Real Takeaway
Rankings are like jump shots: sometimes they hit, sometimes they brick. But this one? Fans are calling it an airball of epic proportions. Whether it’s bias, bad stats, or just plain nonsense, Caitlin Clark isn’t letting it slow her roll. And if the WNBA hasn’t already learned to put some respect on her name, they might want to check the scoreboard this season.