Caitlin Clark fans object to WNBA MVP voting results
By Max Weisman
Caitlin Clark got WNBA MVP votes in her rookie season but finished fourth as Las Vegas Aces star A'ja Wilson won her third career MVP award. Clark received six third-place votes, 26 fourth-place votes and 22 fifth-place votes for the league's premier individual award.
Clark didn't leave the WNBA awards empty-handed. She unanimously won the league's Rookie of the Year award after a season averaging 19.2 points, 8.4 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game. She broke the WNBA's single-season assists record, setting the new mark at 337 assists.
Despite the Rookie of the Year award and a strong finish in MVP voting, fans believe she deserved better.
Caitlin Clark finished 4th in WNBA MVP voting in her rookie year
— Clark Report (@CClarkReport) September 22, 2024
6 third place votes, 26 fourth place votes, 22 5th place votes pic.twitter.com/dmCRPZKqWO
One user wrote, "I’m in disbelief that existed 13 ballots without her name on it. these people are so biased, they shouldn’t have the power to make decisions about these awards."
Another mentioned how she was a huge part of leading the Indiana Fever back to the postseason.
"4th seems low considering her contributions," he wrote.
A third user couldn't believe the record-breaking season Clark had ended as just the fourth best player in the league.
"She broke the assist record in her rookie season ending 4th?", he wrote. "Nah that has to be rigged."
None of the commenters were arguing that Clark should have won MVP. However, they were wondering what Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier and New York Liberty forward and 2023 MVP winner Breanna Stewart did better than Clark. Both women finished ahead of Clark in the voting.
Here’s the voting breakdown 👀 @_ajawilson22 is the 4th 3x @wnba M’VP, joining Sheryl Swoopes (2000, 2002 and 2005), Lisa Leslie (2001, 2004 and 2006) and Lauren Jackson (2003, 2007 and 2010). Every other year since 2020! She’s the 1st unanimous MVP since Cynthia Cooper in 1997 pic.twitter.com/mH6LjsvF0i
— Arielle (Ari) Chambers (@ariivory) September 22, 2024
While no one in the league had more assists than Clark, both Collier and Stewart averaged more points and rebounds per game. Collier scored 20.4 points and grabbed 9.7 rebounds per game while Stewart also scored 20.4 points per game and snatched 8.5 rebounds per game.
Finishing fourth in voting as a rookie is a tremendous accomplishment for Clark, who will likely win an MVP award of her own in the near future. Her first WNBA playoff game tips off at 3 p.m. Sunday. The game is on ABC.