Former WNBA star Stacey Dales cannot imagine how Caitlin Clark is perceived by her friends within the league.
Clark was voted as a starter for the 2026 All-Star Game, but it surely was no because of her fellow WNBA gamers. While she completed second in fan votes and third in media votes, she was solely eleventh amongst guards in participant votes.
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Clark is averaging 20.5 factors, 4.0 rebounds and seven.9 assists per recreation this season. She’s fifth within the league in scoring and second in assists, so she positively has the numbers to be within the dialog as among the finest guards within the WNBA.
That is why Dales, who performed within the WNBA for 5 seasons and was a one-time All-Star in 2002, could not assist however be shocked that she completed exterior the highest 10 amongst guards within the participant voting.
“You see 11th with Caitlin Clark, and it is insulting,” Dales mentioned throughout an look on “First Take.”
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“It is preposterous to consider she would be even deemed worthy of or unworthy of being in a conversation of the 11th best guard in the WNBA. And frankly, to further the discourse, to consider the fact that some believe that she’s not even worthy of being in the top four or being a starter amongst these All-Star players is, to me, foolishness.”
Dales questioned whether or not WNBA gamers are literally watching video games, as she went on to reward Clark and her talent set.
“Caitlin Clark is exceptional. She is extraordinary. She is elite. She is incredibly difficult to defend. She plays on extraordinary angles, both with and without the basketball,” Dales added.
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Dales acknowledged the truth that the participant voting does not absolutely mirror how Clark is seen by her friends as a result of solely 85 of the league’s pool of roughly 180 gamers forged ballots for the All-Star Game. Still, Dales could not imagine that many did not even take into account Clark one of many high guards within the WNBA.
For what it is price, Dales shouldn’t be alone in her evaluation, with WNBA legend Candace Parker also calling out the players for the choice on her podcast.
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“I think people need to look at themselves in the mirror and realize like, man, you got some insecurities,” Parker mentioned. “If you’re sitting down and putting in Caitlin Clark as the 11th-best guard, like y’all need to go to the therapist and figure out what childhood issues you have.”
Related: “It’s Really Hard”: Caitlin Clark Doesn’t Hold Back on Indiana Fever Decision
This story was initially printed by Athlon Sports on Jul 11, 2026, the place it first appeared within the WNBA part. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.