Sheryl Swoopes makes stance clear on Caitlin Clark ‘snub’ over WNBA voting controversy
Caitlin Clark was named Rookie of the Year in the WNBA but did not receive a unanimous vote, with one person opting instead for Chicago Sky's Angel Reese.
Caitlin Clark with her WNBA Rookie of the Year award. (Image: Getty.)
Basketball icon Sheryl Swoopes has recently spoken out on the furore that ensued following Caitlin Clark not clinching a unanimous Rookie of the Year win.
Dazzling Indiana Fever starlet Clark initially experienced a rocky start to her first professional season before turning the tides and stunning the WNBA with electrifying performances.
The No. 1 draft pick from the 2024 WNBA Draft out of Iowa, Clark boasted impressive statistics in her debut year. She sported an average of 19.2 points, topped the assists charts with 8.4 per game, and reeled in 5.7 rebounds, setting a new benchmark with 11 shattered league records.
Despite her boundary-pushing rookie campaign, Clark’s ascent to Rookie of the Year wasn’t met without surprise; she missed out on claiming the accolade by unanimous decision. Out of 67 panel members, one vote veered towards Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese, casting a shadow over Clark’s victory.
Swoopes, herself a WNBA legend with four championship titles under her belt, has put forth a clarification stating her non-involvement in the voting process for the award, despite earlier complaints about Clark’s qualifications which were swept away following the Olympic break.
While featuring on the Levels To This podcast, Swoopes voiced her admiration saying: “First of all, congratulations to Caitlin very well deserved. “She had a hell of a rookie year doing things that just haven’t been done by a rookie before.”
Addressing co-host Terrika Foster-Brasby, Swoopes maintained her distance from the controversial outcome by confirming: “But I hate to disappoint the people…You all cannot blame this one on me. I don’t get a vote. I’ve never had a vote in any of the awards.
Former WNBA MVP Sheryl Swoopes has cleared up whether she voted in the Rookie of the Year stakes (Image: Getty)
“I’ll also say this, if Rickea Jackson had gotten more playing time at the beginning of the season, Rickea Jackson would be in this conversation, but I digress. I thought at one point, Angel Reese had my Rookie of the Year vote because she set the double-double record, and for a rookie, that is impressive.”
She further expressed her admiration for the Fever point guard’s performance post-Olympic break, stating: “After the Olympic break, Caitlin Clark got some rest. She came back and completely separated herself from all other rookies in the league. So congratulations to Caitlin. You all can’t get mad at me. I don’t get votes, so it wasn’t me.”
In light of revelations that one voter had backed Reese for the award, several individuals stepped forward to declare their votes for Clark. CBS journalist Terrika Foster-Brasby clarified on social media: “I voted for CC. So don’t blow me up or call me a hater cause IT WASN’T TERRIKA.”
Joining the discussion, Khristina Williams, a journalist from iHeartRadio, stated: “I had Caitlin Clark on my ballot for Rookie of the Year,” while Nick Hamilton from SiriusXM confirmed: “My voting ballot for #WNBA ROY was Caitlin Clark.”
