Former WNBA Star Breaks Her Silence Over “Insulting” Treatment Involving Caitlin Clark
Caitlin Clark was voted to her third straight WNBA All-Star Game, but not without some controversy.
The ranked voting on the All-Star Game was recently released and showed a rather eye-opening stat. Clark ranked 11th among guards as voted on by the WNBA players despite finishing in the top-three from fans and media.
Fans accused the WNBA’s players of trying to put Clark down over jealousy reasons. For former WNBA All-Star and current NFL Network reporter Stacey Dales, the move was downright insulting.
Appearing on Friday’s edition of First Take, Dales admonished the WNBA players for how they ranked Clark.
“You see 11th with Caitlin Clark and it is insulting. It is preposterous to consider she would be even deemed unworthy of the conversation and placed as the 11th best guard in the WNBA,” Dales said. “Frankly, to consider the fact that some believe she’s not even in the top four or a starter among these All-Star players is, to me, foolishness… It tells me, are you watching the entire game?
“Caitlin Clark is exceptional. She is elite. She is incredibly difficult to defend.”
Response
WNBA fans agreed with Dales and while the reasons for their agreement range from smart to silly, it’s clear that the players made a mistake by not listing Clark as one of the top guards for All-Star consideration:
“They would need to show me who were the 10 women they ranked above her because putting her that low is only amplifying all the narratives about how WNBA players have an agenda against her,” one user remarked.
“Guard her like she’s the 11th best then!!!” another dared.
“Voice of reason,” a third said of Dales.
Feb 3, 2010; Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA; NFL Network host Stacey Dales at the Super Bowl XLIV media center at the Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Just for clarity, Clark wasn’t voted the 11th best guard in the WNBA, she received the 11th-most votes for All-Star selection. While that may sound like a distinction without a difference, it is worth pointing out.
Nevertheless, Clark’s lack of votes from her fellow players didn’t stop her from getting into the All-Star Game this year. Assuming she’s healthy, Clark will have her chance to show why she should have been deemed worthy in the first place.
