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The Associated Press sparked controversy by naming Caitlin Clark to its all-time greatest women’s college basketball first team. Fans immediately questioned the selection, pointing out that Clark never won a national championship, unlike other players who were left off the list.
Did Caitlin Clark Deserve First Team Over Championship Winners?
The AP announced its Greatest Women’s College Basketball Players list to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first women’s Top 25 poll.
The first team featured Caitlin Clark from Iowa, Candace Parker from Tennessee, Cheryl Miller from USC, Breanna Stewart from UConn, and Diana Taurasi from UConn.
🚨AP’s GREATEST Women’s College Basketball Players announced today:
Caitlin Clark -IowaCandace Parker- TennesseeCheryl Miller – USCBreanna Stewart- UCONNDiana Taurasi- UCONN
🏀 Congratulations to all amazing players that made 1st Team✊🏽 pic.twitter.com/ksdA2LkIP9
— JMac | Ball Up | 🏀🏈 (@Gameis_gameLFG) October 17, 2025
Clark finished her college career as the NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer with 3,951 points. She led Iowa to back-to-back national championship game appearances in 2023 and 2024 but lost both times. Every other player on the first team won at least one NCAA championship during their college careers.
Maya Moore won two national championships with UConn in 2009 and 2010, finishing with a 150-4 record. A’ja Wilson led South Carolina to its first NCAA women’s basketball championship in 2017. Despite their championship credentials, Moore was placed on the second team while Wilson was left off entirely.
Fans Slam the Selection
Social media exploded with criticism over Clark’s first team placement. One user noted, “Wow, everyone but Caitlin Clark won a NCAAW championship…and how is Maya Moore not 1st team? Did they check her resume. AP fumbled this one for sure”. This comment showed that the selection committee seemingly overlooked Moore’s two national championships and 150-4 college record.
Wow, everyone but Caitlin Clark won a NCAAW championship…and how is Maya Moore not 1st team? Did they check her resume 🙎🏾. AP fumbled this one for sure.
— Judah Re (@Ankhzed) October 17, 2025
Another user questioned, “Just curious, how can you include Caitlin Clark on this list and not A’ja Wilson? 1st or 2nd team? Really??? No hate. Honestly. I’m just trying to figure out your thought process on this one.” Wilson’s 2017 championship run with South Carolina made her absence from both teams particularly puzzling to fans.
One user wrote, “Lol….one of these don’t belong on the list. She’s the one who never won a natty. She’s on here because of the NCAA women’s scoring title. Ask yourself if Clark wasn’t around would you put the player who is second all time on this list? Nope you wouldn’t”.
Lol….one of these don’t belong on the list. She’s the one who never won a natty. She’s on here because of the NCAA women’s scoring title. Ask yourself if Clark wasn’t around would you put the player who is second all time on this list? Nope you wouldn’t
— Live Deliciously 😈 (@politicalsith) October 17, 2025
One user stated, “This list lacks credibility without Maya Moore being first team. She would run circles around Clumsy Caitlin Clank – even today”.
Another user simply noted, “Caitlin Clark was cold in college, but there is no way in hell she is better than Maya Moore.”
The debate highlights the ongoing tension between individual statistics and team success in determining all-time greatness.
