All-Star Controversy
Caitlin Clark Named All-Star Starter Despite Low Player Vote, Fueling Jealousy Debate
Anonymous
Key Points
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Alyssa Thomas delivered a knee-to-the-groin and a punch-to-the-throat on Caitlin Clark, a high-profile on-court incident cited by Clark's supporters as another data point fueling the jealousy narrative surrounding her stardom.
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The All-Star voting process uses a 50/25/25 weighting (fans 50%, media 25%, players 25%), helping explain why Clark could rank lower with peers even as fans and analysts supported her starting role.
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Clark’s popularity extends into branding with Nike signature shoe plans, as she is slated to release the Caitlin 1s this October, signaling broader marketing appeal beyond on-court performance.
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ESPN’s top-50 ranking placements Clark No. 3, with analysts noting she could be the league’s best playmaker given her production in points, assists, and usage.
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Clark has pulled off a historic streak of 20+ points and 5+ assists in six straight games, underscoring her elite playmaking and scoring versatility even as discussions about defense and peer perception continue.
Caitlin Clark is heading to her third straight WNBA All-Star Game as a starter — but her own peers barely voted for her. Clark ranked just 11th among guards in player voting, yet finished second among fans and third with media, according to The Comeback and Herald Sun. The gap has reignited one of the WNBA's most heated debates: do Clark's teammates and rivals respect her on-court game?
The All-Star voting formula weights fans at 50%, media at 25%, and players at just 25%. That math saved Clark's starter spot. But the player vote still stung — and it came during what may be her best professional season yet.
Clark's Historic Season Makes the Snub Harder to Ignore
Clark is averaging a career-high 21.2 points per game in 2026, along with 8.2 assists. She has scored 20 or more points and dished out 5 or more assists in six straight games — a historic streak. ESPN ranked her No. 3 on its top-50 players list, calling her possibly the best playmaker in the league right now.
Her Indiana Fever teammates Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell also made the All-Star team, per Herald Sun. Clark's numbers put her squarely in the MVP conversation, even with A'ja Wilson considered the favorite. Critics point to her defense as a weak spot — but her offense is nearly impossible to dismiss.
Peers Vote Her 11th — Fans and Media Say She's Elite
The voting split is sharp. Fans love Clark. Media respect her. Players? Not so much. Finishing 11th among guards in player voting means most of her peers ranked her below ten other players at her position. The Comeback noted the disparity is striking given her production and star power.
Some analysts say peer voting reflects real concerns — mainly her defense and how she fits in high-pressure moments against top competition. Others say it reveals jealousy, plain and simple. The 50/25/25 split in All-Star voting is designed to balance all three groups. This year, it exposed just how far apart those groups are.
On-Court Incidents Add Fuel to Jealousy Debate
Clark's supporters point to a recent incident involving Connecticut Sun player Alyssa Thomas. Thomas hit Clark with a knee to the groin and a punch to the throat during a game. The moment went viral. For many Clark fans, it was proof that rivals treat her differently because of her fame and fanbase.
The jealousy narrative has followed Clark since her rookie year. Every hard foul, every low peer vote, and every controversial moment gets added to the pile. Whether it's jealousy or simply competitive basketball depends on who you ask. But the conversation is louder now than ever before.
Nike Deal and Stardom Signal Clark's Off-Court Power
Clark's appeal goes well beyond box scores. Nike plans to release her signature shoe — the Caitlin 1s — this October, per Herald Sun. That deal puts her in rare company. Very few WNBA players in league history have had their own signature sneaker. It shows how big her brand has grown in just two seasons.
The contrast is hard to miss. Fans pack arenas to see her. Media rank her among the league's best. Brands want her name on shoes. And yet her peers voted ten other guards ahead of her. Clark is a starter either way — but the vote split tells a story the numbers alone can't explain.
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