ESPN analyst Andraya Carter is calling for transparency in the WNBA Rookie of the Year voting process after Caitlin Clark was nearly unanimously awarded the prestigious honor. Clark, the standout guard for the Indiana Fever, was widely regarded as the top rookie this season, securing 66 of the 67 possible votes. However, that single outlier vote has sparked debate, particularly among ESPN’s “WNBA Countdown” crew.
Clark’s sole competitor for the award, her college rival Angel Reese, received the one vote that kept Clark from a unanimous win. Reese, who had been a top contender for Rookie of the Year, saw her season cut short due to a wrist injury, making the vote even more puzzling for some.
During the Friday episode of “WNBA Countdown,” Carter didn’t hold back her thoughts on the voting process. “Hats off to Caitlin, should have been unanimous, but I’ll stop there,” she said. Her fellow co-host, Chiney Ogwumike, quickly jumped in to share the sentiment. “No, no, no, I’m going to pick it up because she should have been a unanimous Rookie of the Year,” Ogwumike added. “Ever since Angel Reese had that injury and also coming off the Olympic break, Caitlin Clark separated herself. She should have been unanimous.”
Caitlin Clark’s rookie season was nothing short of spectacular. She helped guide the Indiana Fever to their first playoff appearance since 2016, breaking numerous records along the way. Clark became the first rookie in WNBA history to record two triple-doubles and set a new single-season assist record with 337. Over the course of the season, she averaged an impressive 19.2 points, 8.4 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game, establishing herself as the centerpiece of the Fever’s offense.
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Despite a difficult start to the season, the Fever found their rhythm as Clark’s chemistry with her teammates grew, particularly after the Olympic break. They capped off their season with critical wins over top-seeded teams like the New York Liberty and the Connecticut Sun, though they ultimately fell to the Sun in the first round of the playoffs.
The discussion over Clark’s near-unanimous Rookie of the Year win has highlighted a broader issue with the WNBA’s voting process. Carter expressed her frustration with the lack of transparency, saying, “This is why we would love for the WNBA to make voting not anonymous.
If you were the person that had that one vote, you should just be able to stand on it and we should know who you are.” Carter pointed out that the NBA does not keep voting anonymous, and suggested that the WNBA should follow suit to ensure accountability in the process.
The panel of four female hosts on ESPN unanimously agreed on the matter, calling for changes to the WNBA’s voting system during their pregame show ahead of the Sun and Lynx Game 3 matchup on Friday.
As of now, the individual who voted for Angel Reese has yet to come forward, leaving many fans and analysts wondering why Clark was not given the unanimous recognition that many believe she deserved.
While the mystery continues, Clark’s stellar rookie season remains a bright spot for the Fever and a sign of even greater things to come in her future career.
