Is the media or the WNBA treating Caitlin Clark unfairly? Well, that was the sentiment last season, as the Fever rookies’ contribution to the league was not appreciated enough. The team had a 265% attendance uptick, plus a 1,000% increase in team store sales. But is there jealousy prevalent against CC? TV host Rachael De Mita feels so, especially after the latest rankings, which put the Hawkeyes alum at #5. So, what are the rankings, and who took the spot that many feel should have been hers?

The rankings in question are from Bleacher Report and their Top 20 WNBA players list. Naturally, any list would spark debate, especially if it involves Caitlin Clark. In the list, A’ja Wilson takes the number 1 spot, followed by Naphasea Collier, Breanna Stewart, and Alyssa Thomas. The first three names made sense for De Mita, since that was also the order of MVP voting from the WNBA. But in that category, it was CC who was 4th, and now BR has had her 5, which is a head-scratcher for the national broadcaster.

She called the decision “crazy”. “I don’t know how she slides down into the number five spot, especially behind Alyssa Thomas. Because Alyssa Thomas is a veteran getting older in this league, and Caitlin Clark is only going into her second season,” she said on her YouTube Channel. But the BR rankings stated “If the defense or ball security doesn’t improve” the real reason for CC’ being placed number 5, which De Mita did not like and is tired of hearing.

“As much as people harp on Caitlin about turnovers and not having any rings, I just want to take this mic and bang it against my head…” The 34-year-old said. And the frustration is understandable.

Clark set the WNBA single-season assist record with 337, dropped two triple-doubles (a feat no rookie had ever achieved), and finished fourth in MVP voting—higher than Thomas, who landed fifth. Bleacher Report acknowledged her “audacious passing” and “incredibly deep three-point shooting,” yet docked her for turnovers and defense. Fair enough. That was obvious in the playoffs when Thomas used her strength to drive past her. But here’s the thing: in Game 2 of that series, she dropped 25 points with six rebounds, nearly stealing the game.

Also, pinning her at fifth ignores the context of her role and the unprecedented pressure she faced. Because, yes, turnovers happen. But they also happen when you’re the focal point of every defensive scheme in the league. And how can we forget that before Clark arrived, the Fever hadn’t sniffed the playoffs since 2016. Then, boom—she shows up, they go 20-20, clinch the sixth seed, and suddenly, Indiana basketball is fun again. So, her presence didn’t just boost ticket sales—it elevated everyone around her.

Another point that De Mita is making here is why must the standards be so high for Clark? So much so that they do not leave any room for mistakes. Caitlin is changing the game, but with that, she is also figuring it out. Shouldn’t that be okay? Growth is part of the process. Why punish her for it?

We do need to understand, though, that, in no way, is De Mita downplaying Thomas’ influence here. As per her, Thomas is reliable, but Clark is revolutionary and the future of the WNBA- a league that has been starving for attention since day one. And now that Clark has finally given the league what it deserves, De Mita would like to see Clark being rewarded fairly.

Do the numbers favor the Fever superstar Caitlin Clark?

Caitlin Clark, in her rookie season with the Fever, played 40 games, averaging 19.2 points, 8.4 assists, 5.7 rebounds, 2.0 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game. She also averaged 5.6 turnovers, reflecting her high-usage role as a primary ball-handler. Her shooting splits were 41.7% from the field, 34.4% from three-point range, and 90.6% from the free-throw line. Her assist-to-turnover ratio was 1.5, and she logged a usage rate of 27.5%, indicating her central role in the Fever’s offense.

Alyssa Thomas, in her 11th season with the Sun, also played 40 games, averaging 10.6 points, 7.9 assists, 8.4 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game. Her turnover average was 3.2, significantly lower than Clark’s, yielding an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.5. Thomas shot 49.8% from the field and 62.1% from the free-throw line, with no three-point attempts recorded. Thomas’s usage rate was 19.4%, reflecting a less ball-dominant role compared to Clark.

In scoring, Clark outpaces Thomas significantly, averaging 19.2 points to Thomas’s 10.6, a difference of 8.6 points per game, bolstered by her ability to shoot from distance. However, Thomas excels in efficiency, with a better field goal percentage, though Clark’s perimeter-oriented game accounts for much of this gap.

Assists favor Clark slightly, with her league-leading 8.4 per game and 337 total assists eclipsing Thomas’s 7.9 and 317. Yet, Thomas’s lower turnover rate highlights her superior ball security, a critical factor for a playmaker. Rebounding tilts toward Thomas, who leverages her 6’2” frame and forward position against Clark’s 6’0” guard build. Defensively, Clark’s 2.0 steals per game edge out Thomas’s 1.6, though Thomas’s experience contributes to team defensive stability.

So, it sort of boils down to what we said earlier. Reliable or revolutionary. Who’s your pick?