The 2026 WNBA season doesn't tip off until May 8, but Indiana Fever fans are already firing back at ESPN over a controversial player ranking that has them seeing red.
In celebration of the league's 30th season, ESPN's panel—Kendra Andrews, Kareem Copeland, Charlie Creme, and Michael Voepel—unveiled their list of the top 50 players in the WNBA. As expected, four-time MVP A'ja Wilson claimed the No. 1 spot. The top five rounded out with Alyssa Thomas, Napheesa Collier, Breanna Stewart, and Jackie Young.
But the real firestorm erupted when Caitlin Clark came in at No. 10, trailing Paige Bueckers, Allisha Gray, Sabrina Ionescu, and Kelsey Plum. While Clark missed significant time in 2025 due to injury—playing just 13 games—her resume speaks volumes. As Copeland noted, "Clark received the fourth-most MVP votes as a rookie while setting a single-season league record for assists and posting the second-most 3-point field goals in a season." She was named Rookie of the Year and first-team All-WNBA in 2024, and despite injuries, she still earned an All-Star nod in 2025.
Fans took to social media to voice their frustration. "There aren't 9 players better than CC," one declared. Another wrote, "Paige Bueckers, Jackie Young, Sabrina Ionescu, Alisha Gray even Alyssa Thomas are not above CC. What is this nonsense?" A third added, "Disrespect her and use her image to get clicks. I get she was out injured last year, but she still got MVP in Olympics. While I'm on a roll, of course you disrespected AB and Kelsey Mitchell too."
The debate isn't just about Clark. Some Fever supporters feel the network overlooked other key players like Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell. This isn't the first time ESPN's WNBA coverage has stirred controversy—the network's All-Clark TV slate earlier sparked heated discussions about race and ratings. And with every Fever game going national in 2026, the spotlight on Clark and her teammates is only intensifying.
Clark silenced doubters in March by winning MVP during the FIBA World Cup qualifying tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico, averaging 11.6 points and 6.4 assists per game. Fever star Aliyah Boston backed her teammate, saying, "Caitlin is Caitlin. Yes, she was out with injury, but when we were at USA together, she looked like herself. And I feel like that made me just so happy, because, one, having an injury is hard. And missing a season is hard. But being able to come back, turn the page and be ready to go—I mean, that's Caitlin."
Since entering the league in 2024, Clark has averaged 18.5 points, 8.5 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game. Her ability to change the game is undeniable, and with the Fever's offensive system evolving, she's poised to make an even bigger impact this season.
The Fever open their 2026 campaign on May 9 against the Dallas Wings. If Clark's response to the ranking is anything like her on-court fire, the league better watch out.
