Latest news with #WNBAAll-Star
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Everyone, calm down about Caitlin Clark's All-Star player votes
The chatter surrounding Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark and her WNBA All-Star ranking among players is already at unhinged levels. For the second consecutive season, Clark was named an All-Star. The Indiana guard will also serve as captain alongside Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier on July 19 when the 2025 WNBA All-Star is held in Indianapolis. Clark garnered over 1.2 million votes, a record-breaking amount, ahead of this month's festivities. Collier was not far behind with 1.1 million votes. That should be what the online chatter is about ― a celebration of the players and the growth the WNBA continues to churn out ― but here we are, once again, deeply embroiled in toxic nonsense. WNBA ALL-STAR: WNBA All-Star ballot with Caitlin Clark, Napheesa Collier On Monday, the league revealed the voting breakdown for the top 10 finishers among fans, media and players. While some discrepancies in how those three groups view Clark are expected, it's the player vote that's ratcheted up the worst parts of women's basketball discourse after Clark ranked ninth among guards. "Absolutely pure jealously that WNBA players voted Caitlin Clark the ninth best guard," said broadcaster Dick Vitale, echoing where the narratives have gone since Monday afternoon. "Some day they will realize what she has done for all of the players in the WNBA." This is far from the first time allegations of supposed player "jealousy" have been tossed around. Anytime there is a perceived slight against Clark, be it fouls, physical play, or, yes, even All-Star voting ranks, a vicious cycle of uninformed takes starts up again. Frankly, everyone needs to calm down. The WNBA All-Star rankings among the players was for this season ― as in 2025. It isn't an amalgamation of Clark's impact over the last two years. While she is a generational talent and a tremendous player who has certainly altered the fabric of the league, this season hasn't been her best. Clark has missed 7 games due to injuries, and her baseline stats among the guards of the league are lower by even her standards. Despite being first among guards in assists per game (8.9), she's eighth in points (18.2 per matchup), third in made 3-pointers (2.6 per game), and Clark has the most turnovers among guards with 5.9 giveaways per contest. For comparison, in 2024, she was fourth in points per game, first in made 3-point shots per matchup, and her turnovers per contest (higher due to the sheer volume she handles) were lower at 5.6 per game. Clark's current production isn't particularly alarming, but for a player of her caliber, who began the season with a triple-double, the standard is higher, and thus, so are the expectations. When peeling back the ranking by her colleagues, an understanding of how the players arrived at such a conclusion doesn't seem as jarring. Furthermore, knee-jerk reactions to the rankings do little to take into consideration what the players potentially value. Do they want her to be a better one-on-one defender? Would they like to see more three-level scoring from Clark? Could her shot selection improve? Answers to those sorts of questions are currently unknown, and without the background knowledge and explanations from the player pool who voted, the automatic assumption of jealousy feels willfully short-sighted. Additionally, Clark wasn't the only guard whose rank caught the eyes of the public. For example, Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum, who is top six or better in multiple categories amongst guards (including a group-leading 20.6 points per game) was ranked 16th by her peers. Yet, the outrage for Plum, a two-time WNBA champion and one of the top guards in years past, seems minimal in comparison. This isn't to say that people don't have a right to feel taken aback by Clark's ranking, but the outrage feels hollow when others are facing the same kind of discrepancy, and voting, at its core, is objective. The premise asks people to be on the same page and value the same things about a player without being in the same room with one another to align on it. That's likely going to be nearly impossible even with what people assume is a clear-cut choice. In other words, Caitlin Clark is still Caitlin Clark regardless of an All-Star ranking, and unhinged takes that bulldoze the lines of reasonable thinking aren't needed in a promising WNBA landscape.
Fox News
a day ago
- Sport
- Fox News
Social media erupts as fellow players rank Caitlin Clark 9th-best All-Star guard: 'These girls are laughable'
Social media were on fire when it was revealed that Caitlin Clark received the ninth-most votes among other WNBA All-Stars for the top guard. There are three voting groups for the WNBA All-Star process: fan rank, media rank and player rank for the guards and frontcourt players. While Clark was first in fan votes (receiving over 1 million and crushing her own record from last year), and third among the media, her fellow WNBA players ranked her ninth among the guards. Clark finished second among all players largely because fan votes accounted for 50% of the votes to determine starters - Dallas Wings rookie and No. 1 overall pick Paige Bueckers took the top spot. Clark has been injured and has struggled lately, going just 13-of-47 from three-point territory in her last three games and missing six of the Indiana Fever's 16 games this season. However, lots of social media users said it was more evidence of jealousy of the NCAA's all-time leading scorer. "They guard her like she's prime [Michael] Jordan, celebrate trying to hurt her and downplay her impact any chance they can… The W is so full of ELITE LEVEL haters and they just don't even hide it anymore," Barstool's Kayce Smith wrote on social media. "She's easily the best player in the league. These girls are laughable," another wrote. "What a funny league filled with petty and jealous women. They hate her but she's single-handedly the reason they are all making more money. A simple thank you would probably be a good start. What a clown show this league is," added another. Robert Griffin III, who noted that the votes were averaged, said, "so that means some players purposely voted her out of the top 15 for her to land at #9," and told the players to "stop hating." "When Jordan, LeBron [James], Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Usain Bolt, Tom Brady and [Lionel] Messi came on the scene, everyone didn't like them but they recognized their greatness and respected it while competing their butt off to stop them. They didn't vote them low on purpose," Griffin III wrote in an extensive post. "To vote her 9th when she gets full court pressed, body slammed and excessively fouled by every team she faces? That's not 9th best guard treatment… That's the clearest sign of hate for Caitlin Clark there could be… Players are supposed to get it right more than the fans and the media because they know what it takes and what it looks like.. Some WNBA players are letting their jealously of Caitlin Clark get in the way of greatness for the entire WNBA. The only question I have is why. Can we have an honest conversation about it? Why do you think some players don't respect, hate or are jealous of Caitlin Clark after all she has said to support them?" One social media user posted a comparison of Clark's stats to Natasha Cloud's, who was ranked fourth among her peers. Clark is averaging 18.2 points, 8.9 assists, five rebounds and 1.6 steals over 33.3 minutes per game this season. Only the Phoenix Mercury's Alyssa Thomas has more assists per game (9.3), and she's touched the hardwood in 12 contests this season. Clark and Minnesota Lynx leader Napheesa Collier will be this year's All-Star captains. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Indianapolis Star
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indianapolis Star
WNBA All-Star Game 2025: Guide to Indianapolis entertainment, concerts and free events
The Indianapolis arts and entertainment community will show up big to celebrate the weekend of the WNBA All-Star Game. From July 18 to 20, several spots around downtown will transform into outdoor art galleries and live music stages. Peppered throughout the entertainment will be stations for sneaker customization, art-making, face-painting and other activities to celebrate women and girls in sports. Several cultural organizations have partnered with Downtown Indy and the Indy Arts Council to bring the fun, which will be funded by the WNBA All-Star 2025 Host Committee, Herbert Simon Family Foundation, Samerian Foundation and the Capital Improvement Board of Managers of Marion County. Unless otherwise noted, the events are free. Find more details at and And check back in with this story, which will update as more events are announced. Boots on the Ground for WNBA All-Star: Music and comedy show lineup announced This Indy newsletter has the best shows, art and eats
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fans Saddened by Disappointing News on WNBA All-Star
Fans Saddened by Disappointing News on WNBA All-Star originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Entering Tuesday, the Phoenix Mercury boasted a 5-2 record, sitting second in the Western Conference. Unfortunately, Phoenix proceeded to drop its third game of the season, getting blown out 88-65 by the Minnesota Lynx in Minneapolis. Advertisement Without All-Star forward, Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix struggled through much of the night, shooting a horrid 5-of-30 from 3-point range and getting outrebounded 37-24. To make matters worse, before the contest, head coach Nate Tibbetts confirmed that Thomas, who was ruled out with a left calf injury, remains in limbo regarding her return. "I'm not sure," Tibbetts said when asked when she will resume basketball activities. Fans online were quick to react to Tibbetts comments. "Our MVP stock nooooooo 💔💔," said one fan. One commenter reacted to this with, "🙄." "Nooo that's so sad 😩", replied another user. Advertisement "That's what happens when your arms are holding on by a string," said another commenter. "Stop bein so secretive and give us a little info," commented another fan. One other user simply left it at, "[Expletive]". Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25).Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images Thomas was traded to Phoenix in February and has already emerged as arguably the Mercury's best player. Through five games in 2025, she has averaged 15.2 points, 8.0 assists, 7.6 rebounds and 1.8 steals per contest, shooting 50.% from the field and leading the team in assists. In her absence, the Mercury have now dropped a 74-71 contest to the Lynx on Friday, won 85-80 over the Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday and now again to Minnesota. Advertisement Fans, hopeful that Thomas would anchor a new era in Phoenix, now face uncertainty as the season's trajectory shifts without her on on the court. Related: Lexie Hull's Mother Sends Indiana Fever Message After Third Straight Loss Related: Dallas Wings Get Bad News on Monday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
WNBA All-Star is coming up. Here's how to vote for your favorite players
INDIANAPOLIS — WNBA All-Star weekend is just over a month away, and Indianapolis is deep in preparations to host the game. Starting Thursday, fans will have a big part in deciding who will take the court at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 19. Fan voting for WNBA All-Star runs from June 12 to 28, and the All-Stars will be announced in early July. Advertisement Here's how voting for All-Star works. How are WNBA All-Stars decided? The WNBA selects All-Stars from a combination of fan, player, media and coach voting. Fans account for 50% of the initial vote, while player and media selections account for 25% each. The league will then combine all of those scores, and the four frontcourt players and six guards with the top combined votes will become the All-Star starters. The coaches will then vote to select the 12 total reserves. They are required to vote for three guards and five frontcourt players, then can vote for four players regardless of position. They cannot vote for players on their own team. Advertisement Relive Caitlin Clark's rookie season with our collector's book The 22 All-Stars will be selected regardless of conference affiliation, and the All-Star game will not be played as a competition between conferences. How will the All-Star Game work? The 2024 season saw 12 All-Stars, selected similarly to the 2025 process, play Team USA before they headed off to the Paris Olympics. This season will mark the return to two full All-Star teams. The two All-Star starters that have the most fan votes will become the two captains, and they will be part of a draft to pick their respective teams. They will first pick from the remaining pool of eight starters, then from the 12 reserves. ESPN will broadcast the results of the draft during an edition of WNBA Countdown at 7 p.m. July 8. Advertisement The coaches for the teams will be determined by the two coaches in the league that have the best record through July 4. The coach with the best overall record will be paired with the captain that has the most fan votes. How do I vote for Fever players for WNBA All-Star? Fans can submit one full ballot of up to 10 players per day, starting June 12 and ending June 28. All active WNBA players on rosters will be able to receive votes. Fans can vote through or the WNBA App. There are three 2-for-1 days on June 14, 20, and 27, when fans' one ballot will count twice. 'So far so good': 2 weeks after ankle injury, Fever's Sophie Cunningham hoping to be cleared Where is the WNBA All-Star Game? The WNBA All-Star weekend is in Indianapolis for the first time in league history. Advertisement It will be the second straight year that the city has hosted an All-Star weekend, though, as the NBA came to Indianapolis in February 2024. What Fever players have been All-Stars? Five players on Indiana's roster have been All-Stars at least once, whether it be with the Fever or on another team. DeWanna Bonner, a 15-year veteran of the league who is in her first season with the Fever, has been an All-Star six times: three with the Phoenix Mercury (2015, 2018-19) and three with the Connecticut Sun (2021, 2023-24). Natasha Howard has been an All-Star twice: 2019 with the Seattle Storm and 2022 with the New York Liberty. Advertisement Both Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston have two All-Star appearances in their career, both in 2023 and 2024 with the Fever. Boston was an All-Star starter as a rookie in 2023. Caitlin Clark started the All-Star game as a rookie in 2024, and she has one All-Star selection so far in her young career. Chloe Peterson is the Indiana Fever beat reporter for IndyStar. Reach her at capeterson@ or follow her on X at @chloepeterson67. Get IndyStar's Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Caitlin Clark Fever newsletter. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: How to vote for WNBA All-Star Game, All-Star selection, Caitlin Clark
