ESPN personality David Dennis Jr. is not budging. Despite a firestorm of criticism from Caitlin Clark fans and even some colleagues, Dennis Jr. is standing by his earlier claim that the Indiana Fever superstar isn't a top-four guard in the WNBA.
The debate reignited this summer after Dennis Jr., who appears on "First Take" and previously hosted "Around The Horn," made waves with a bold statement. "I don't think you can make a compelling argument that Caitlin Clark is a top four guard in the WNBA," he said on ESPN. "Like, nobody can."
That comment sparked immediate backlash, with fans flooding his social media mentions and urging him to apologize. But Dennis Jr. has remained defiant, even inviting callers to voice their frustrations on his radio show. "On radio until 1EST feel absolutely free to call: 1-888-SAY-ESPN, 888-729-3776," he shared.
The criticism hasn't let up. One fan wrote, "Still think Caitlin Clark ain’t a top 4 guard ?! 😂 get that hate out of your heart man it’s 2026," while another mocked, "Guessing you’re going to talk bout Clark not being a top point guard . Have to lay in bed at night and think of stupid stuff to say." Even former ESPN anchor Linda Cohn joined in, posting a laughing emoji alongside a clip of Dennis Jr.'s take.
But Dennis Jr. isn't backing down. In a recent appearance, he explained his reasoning, pointing to the All-Star voting results. "I don’t think you can make a compelling argument that Caitlin Clark is a top four guard in the WNBA. Nobody can at this point. That is why she was 11th. She got the 11th-most votes for being in the top four. So there’s really no controversy about that," he said, noting that Clark's popularity ensures her an All-Star spot regardless.
He also pushed back against the narrative that Clark's treatment by other players stems from jealousy. "What bothers me is when this is framed as some sort of petty jealousy or insecurity by these women in the WNBA. Because that’s not what I’m seeing is happening with Caitlin Clark," Dennis Jr. said. "Caitlin Clark is experiencing pretty much what happens anytime a young player comes into the league with a lot of hype, especially the hype that she’s receiving that says the whole entire league should be thankful that she’s there."
The debate comes amid a season of heightened attention on Clark, who has faced physical play and intense scrutiny. A recent photo showing Clark's battle scars after a brutal matchup highlighted the physical toll, while DiJonai Carrington faced criticism for what some called "childish" antics against her. Even Team USA coach Kara Lawson slammed Clark's late-game errors as "unacceptable," adding another layer to the ongoing narrative.
As the season progresses, Dennis Jr. shows no signs of wavering. His stance has become a lightning rod for debate, but he seems content to let the discourse continue. Whether fans agree or not, he's made it clear: no apology is coming.
