Caitlin Clark was just one vote short of becoming a unanimous WNBA Rookie of the Year, receiving 66 of 67 votes from the panel of national reporters and sportswriters. The lone vote that didn’t go in her favor went to Angel Reese, which kept Clark from being the WNBA’s fifth-ever unanimous rookie of the year. The identity of that one voter is still a mystery, but people are sure it will eventually come out—just like when someone left Ken Griffey Jr. off the Hall of Fame ballot. In that case, everyone knew who it was, and the backlash was fierce. It’s hard not to feel like this situation is personal.
How can anyone reasonably come to the conclusion that Caitlin Clark didn’t deserve to be a unanimous Rookie of the Year? She led her team to the playoffs for the first time since 2016 or 2017, led the rookies in scoring and assists, and averaged about six rebounds a game. She set records in scoring, assists, and three-pointers made. The Fever’s elimination from the playoffs even caused a drop in attendance and ratings across the league.
When Caitlin was still in the playoffs, the energy was palpable. Attendance spiked, especially when the Fever played. Compare that to when they were eliminated—suddenly, the drop was obvious. Only the Las Vegas Aces consistently sell out their games, and they’re stacked with talent: four Olympians, including Asia Wilson, a unanimous MVP, and Kelsey Plum, a former No. 1 overall pick. The Aces’ roster alone shows the level of star power it takes to fill arenas. But still, you can’t ignore how much Caitlin Clark affected the league’s overall engagement this year.
People may say it’s the old guard holding on, but when you look at the ratings and attendance after Clark and the Fever were out, the story becomes clear. If Clark’s absence affects the numbers, then maybe it’s time to recognize her undeniable impact.
On the bright side, this rookie class will be remembered for years to come. Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Aliyah Boston, Dorka Juhász, and other standout players made the WNBA All-Rookie team, and they’ve shown this class could go down as one of the greats. They might be the next iconic group, much like the 1984 NBA draft class with Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, and Hakeem Olajuwon or the 2003 class with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Carmelo Anthony.
The future is bright, and as the WNBA continues to grow, salaries for women in the league will rise. This rookie class has already proven their worth, and there’s no doubt they’ll push the game even further.
