She’s leading rookies in scoring.

She’s top 3 in the league in assists.

She’s the single biggest reason ticket sales and viewership are at all-time highs.

And yet?

When WNBA players were asked to rank the league’s point guards for the All-Star roster…

Caitlin Clark landed at number 9.

That’s not a typo. That’s not a joke.

That’s what her own peers said.

And now?

Fans are furious.
Media is buzzing.
And the entire WNBA is forced to reckon with a tough truth:

Is this really about basketball? Or something else entirely?

The List: What the Player Vote Revealed

As part of the WNBA All-Star selection process, players were given ballots to vote for the top guards in the league.

Here’s the unofficial ranking (reported by JonTheLiquidator):

    Chelsea Gray

    Sabrina Ionescu

    Jewell Loyd

    Kelsey Plum

    Courtney Vandersloot

    Natasha Cloud

    Marina Mabrey

    Skylar Diggins-Smith

    Caitlin Clark

    Jordin Canada

Notable:

Clark finished behind two players averaging fewer points and assists than her

Marina Mabrey — who has publicly clashed with Clark — finished above her

Several rookies were left off entirely

It’s not a fan vote. It’s not media-driven.

This came directly from inside the locker rooms.

The Internet Reacts: “This Isn’t Evaluation. It’s Retaliation.”

#WNBAPlayerVote
#ClarkAt9
#JealousyNotJudgment
#ProtectCaitlinClark

All trended within hours.

“This is petty. You don’t have to love her. But you have to respect her game,” one fan posted.

“She’s literally carrying your league and this is how you rank her?” another wrote.

“This isn’t a ranking. This is a warning shot,” a sports podcaster said.

Is This a Real Assessment — or a Coded Message?

Let’s review the facts:

📌 Clark averages more assists than anyone on the list not named Vandersloot
📌 She plays more minutes and generates more shot opportunities than anyone else
📌 She leads the entire league in total fan votes — and it’s not even close

So why did the players rank her this low?

According to insiders, there are two working theories:

1. RESPECT HAS TO BE EARNED

Some vets still feel Clark hasn’t “earned her stripes” yet.

“She came in with a billion-dollar spotlight,” one unnamed player said.
“You don’t get to skip the line just because ESPN says so.”

2. THE LOCKER ROOM STILL HAS FRICTION

From the Olympic snub to the physical play to the silence from other stars — it’s clear that Caitlin Clark still hasn’t been fully embraced by WNBA veterans.

“They’re not hating her game,” said one analyst.
“They’re rejecting the machine that came with her.”

The Marina Mabrey Factor: A Symbol of Division?

The inclusion of Marina Mabrey above Clark sent the strongest message.

Why?

Mabrey has repeatedly been accused of targeting Clark on-court

The two have been involved in multiple physical exchanges

Off the court, Mabrey has liked and shared posts shading Clark

And yet?

Players voted Mabrey ahead of Clark in the point guard rankings.

“That’s not a stat decision. That’s a cultural one,” said FS1’s Jason Whitlock.
“That’s a locker room saying: ‘We see who you ride for.’”

Media Reaction: Divided, But Loud

🗣 ESPN’s Monica McNutt:

“This is a shot across the bow. It tells us the league is still negotiating her place.”

🗣 Stephen A. Smith:

“Caitlin Clark is a top-5 player at her position. Full stop. Anyone saying otherwise is lying—or letting politics get in the way.”

🗣 Jemele Hill:

“The list doesn’t surprise me. The WNBA has always struggled to balance visibility with authenticity.”

The Fever Camp: Silent — But Observing

The Indiana Fever organization has not commented on Clark’s ranking.

But sources inside the team say the reaction was:

“Muted, but not shocked”

“Another reminder of how isolated she still is”

“Fuel — and she’ll use it.”

“She’s not the type to clap back on social,” one staffer said.
“She’ll just go drop 30 on the next team and let that be her answer.”

Clark’s Response? Predictably Quiet. Strategically Powerful.

Caitlin Clark was asked about the rankings after practice.

Her answer?

“I just want to keep getting better. That’s all.”

No drama.
No shade.
No clapback.

And that?

Might be the most powerful response yet.

Final Thoughts: 9th Place… or First Warning?

This isn’t about rankings anymore.

This is about reality.

That no matter how many fans she brings…
How many shots she hits…
How many jerseys she sells…

Caitlin Clark is still not welcome in some WNBA circles.

Not yet.

But maybe?

That’s what makes her even more dangerous.

Because if she’s doing all this with resistance—

What happens when the league finally wakes up?