Indiana Fever rookie phenom Caitlin Clark’s popularity continues to be a big boon for the WNBA and now Clark’s popularity is at an All-Star level as Clark received over 700,000 votes from fans to be selected to the WNBA All-Star game.
Fellow rookie, Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese, was 5th in votes with 381,518, showing that the league’s brightest new stars are resonating with fans and bringing in new eyes to the WNBA product as the season rolls on.
Clark and Reese, who had a storied rivalry in college, will now be teammates in the All-Star game.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been her teammate before, even at USA Basketball. I know people will be really excited about it, but I hope it doesn’t take away from everyone else,” Clark said, according to ESPN’s Alexa Philippou. “This is a huge accomplishment for everybody on Team USA and everyone on Team WNBA. They all deserve the same praise. I don’t want it to take away from any of that and be the focal point of All-Star weekend because that’s not fair to them.”
“I’m just so happy. I know the work I put in,” Reese said in an emotional post-game presser. “Coming into this league, so many people doubted me and didn’t think my game would translate and I wouldn’t be the player that I was in college or better or would be worse and wouldn’t be where I am right now.
“But I trusted the process and I believed and I’m thankful that I dropped to [pick No. 7] and was able to come to Chicago. And like, it’s just a blessing. I can’t thank my teammates and my coaches enough for just believing in me and trusting me. I know all of them are going to come to Phoenix and support me. So I’m really happy right now.”
“We’ll be on the same team and at least have each other,” Clark said. “It shows the talent we have … the future is bright.”