Caitlin Clark Not No. 1 on ESPN’s Top 25 WNBA Players List

Expectations are sky-high this season for Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, following a rookie year in which she set multiple records and earned several honors.

The 23-year-old guard averaged 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 8.4 assists per game, was named a WNBA All-Star, selected to the All-WNBA First Team, earned Rookie of the Year honors, and led the entire league in assists.

Advertisement

With just over a week until the WNBA regular season tips off, Clark is the current betting favorite to win MVP. According to ESPN Bet, her odds are +200, followed by Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson at +225 and Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier at +300.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday morning, ESPN released its preseason rankings for the top 25 players in the WNBA. Clark came in at fourth, behind Wilson, Collier and New York Liberty forward Brenna Stewart.

While some might question why Clark isn’t ranked No. 1, it’s still high praise for a player entering just her second season to be placed in the top four. And who’s to say she won’t prove she belongs at No. 1 with another superstar year?

Advertisement

Wilson, 28, has three MVPs under her belt and is coming off a year in which she averaged the most points ever in a single season (25.3 PPG). Collier, also 28, was the MVP runner-up last year and earned Defensive Player of the Year honors. Lastly, Stewart, 30, averaged 20.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game while leading her Liberty to a WNBA title last season.

Here’s what the full top 25 looks like:

Related: Angel Reese’s Mother Sends Strong Message to Caitlin Clark Fans

Related: Sheryl Swoopes Criticizes Decision by Caitlin Clark’s Fever Coach