ESPN Under Fire Over Caitlin Clark's WNBA Ranking Before 2026 Season

The WNBA season is right around the corner, and anticipation is building for Caitlin Clark to return to the floor for the Indiana Fever after appearing in just 13 games last season due to a season-ending injury.

Clark, however, still managed to be named an All-Star for the second straight year and was even selected as a captain for one of the teams.

Yet, in the lead-up to the season, ESPN unveiled its Top 50 rankings of the best players in the WNBA, and fans are seemingly outraged over where Clark was placed.

The former Iowa star was ranked as the No. 10 player in the league heading into her third season, behind players such as Kelsey Plum (No. 9), Paige Bueckers (No. 8), and Sabrina Ionescu (No. 6).

The top four featured expected names, with reigning MVP A'ja Wilson at No. 1, followed by Alyssa Thomas (No. 2), Napheesa Collier (No. 3), and Breanna Stewart (No. 4).

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"CC not in the top 5 is hilarious. Top 3," one fan said.

Another added, "If she is 10, then ESPN is not serious."

Someone else wrote, "Who are the nine players better than CC? Stop it - only A'ja is better."

"Sick of the disrespect! CC top 3 easily," a fan shared.

One more commenter added, "One of the worst lists I have seen, LMAOO."

Through her first two seasons in the league - spanning a total of 53 games - Caitlin Clark has averaged 18.5 points, 8.5 assists, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game.

She led the WNBA in assists as a rookie and will enter this season with a team that has clear championship aspirations after reaching the conference finals last year, despite key absences, including Sophie Cunningham being sidelined.

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This story was originally published April 30, 2026 at 10:08 AM.