Caitlin Clark makes All-WNBA 1st team (but snubbed of historic distinction)

The Indiana Fever are back because of Caitlin Clark. She brought millions of fans to the W and instantly became a star. She was the runaway Rookie of the Year and finished fourth in MVP voting as the Fever snapped a seven-year playoff drought. Clark set several records and changed the entire league.

She made first-team All-WNBA on Oct. 16. Clark was just the fifth rookie to earn the honors. The others were Candace Parker, Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, and Fever legend Tamika Catchings. It was another massive credit for Indiana’s superstar, but there was some questionable voting.

Clark earned just 52 of 67 possible first-team votes. A’ja Wilson and Napheesa Collier were unanimous selections. Brianna Stewart fell two votes shy of unanimous. Missing out on this honor was surprising, but there was a larger shock.

Caitlin Clark makes 1st-team All-WNBA: Complete left off one ballot

Clark earned 52 first-team votes and 14 second-team votes from the 67 media members. She was completely left off one ballot. To say the 22-year-old who broke the record for assists in a season was not a top-ten player in the W this season was ludicrous. Only three players earned 67 votes, but it was shocking to see Clark not get that distinction.

Clark had 302 points, which was fourth overall. She was joined on the 2024 first team by Wilson, Collier, Stewart, and Alyssa Thomas. Sabrina Ionescu, Kahleah Copper, Nneka Ogwumike, Arike Ogunbowale, and Jonquel Jones earned second-team honors.

Clark joins Tamika Catchings as the only member of the Fever to ever make first-team All-WNBA. The legend did it seven times, so the rookie has a long way to go to surpass her franchise mark.

Catchings and Katie Douglas were the only players in Fever history to make either All-WNBA team before Clark. Catchings made it 12 times and Douglas had two second-team honors with Indiana.

The Indiana Fever have a special talent and are eager to build a championship roster around. It is why they brought back Kelly Krauskopf to run the front office. The franchise wants significant roster upgrades this offseason and hopes to jump into serious title contention. It won’t be easy, but the Fever already have the most important piece.

This is just the beginning for Clark. Expect her to be even better in year two, and the rest of the league should be scared. There will be more fans, records, and wins, so buckle up for a wild and exciting ride.