Caitlin Clark’s rookie season has come to an end after an 87-81 loss to the Connecticut Sun in Game 2 of the WNBA playoffs first-round.
Although it didn’t end the way many fans wanted it to, the former Iowa star’s first professional season was a success. The 2024 No. 1 overall pick broke countless records, including the most assists in a season, the first-ever triple-double by a rookie and the most points by a rookie. Not to mention, Clark helped get the Fever back to the postseason for the first time since 2016.
On Thursday’s edition of ESPN’s “First Take,” to honor Clark’s great year, they listed her on a graphic titled “Trailblazing Athletes,” along with USA gymnast Simone Biles, USA swimmer Katie Ledecky and tennis legend Serena Williams. The graphic listed each athlete’s biggest accomplishments, as well.
Despite an outstanding season, ESPN may have gotten ahead of themselves by adding Clark to such a prestigious list. Biles, Ledecky and Williams are the best to ever do it in their respective sport, while Clark has only been in the spotlight for a few years, not to mention playing only one year professionally and a lack of titles.
Fans immediately took notice of the graphic and called out ESPN on social media for including Clark.
“I feel like we’ve lost the plot a bit here,” one fan said.
“Meanwhile Diana Taurasi *most likely* retired last night, and A’ja Wilson (3x MVP) is actively seeking a three-peat with the Aces… I truly do not understand”
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"I’d actually feel embarassed if they put my name up with these legends and this was my accomplishments"
“They’re making her the villain without even noticing. Putting CC on this list is ridiculous lol”
“3 GOATs of their respective sports, internationally recognised, champions of everything their sport has to offer… & ESPN have the audacity to put CC with their names? A girl that ain’t won 1 championship at any level? The disrespect to Serena, Simone & Katie is unfathomable”
Although Clark has stolen the spotlight over the last couple of years, both in college and the WNBA, she hasn’t quite reached the level of a Biles or a Williams. Ledecky has a total of 14 Olympic medals, including nine gold. Biles has 11 Olympic wins, seven of which are gold. Williams is arguably the most accomplished women’s tennis player of all time, which includes four gold medals.
Clark has brought a new wave of fans to the WNBA, but she wouldn’t even be ranked as one of the best players ever in her own sport yet. That honor would go to someone like Diana Taurasi, Candace Parker or Lisa Leslie, to name a few.
