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Candace Parker comments on the controversy surrounding Caitlin Clark’s All-Star voting

Candace Parker comments on the controversy surrounding Caitlin Clark's All-Star voting

Candace Parker reacted swiftly after observing the WNBA players’ voting results concerning Kaitlyn Clark’s selection as an All-Star.

Clark earned a starting spot in the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game, finishing second in fan voting among guards and third in media voting. However, in player voting, she surprisingly landed in 11th place, which left Parker and many others taken aback. This discrepancy continues to fuel discussions about how Clark is perceived in the league.

Parker expressed her thoughts on the “Post Moves” podcast featuring Fever Forward Aliyah Boston, stating, “I genuinely think there should be some guidelines for WNBA players because this is becoming quite troubling. Caitlin Clark ranked as the 11th-best guard by her peers? That’s just outrageous.”

A weighted system guides the voting, allocating 50% to fans, 25% to media, and 25% to players. While Clark’s robust backing from fans and media secured her a starting role, it’s clear her standing among players diverged significantly.

The three-time WNBA champion and Hall of Famer emphasized that personal biases should not influence All-Star selections. She reminisced about her own experiences, mentioning how she didn’t always favor certain players, yet still recognized their talents. “When I sat down, I didn’t like Diana Taurasi, but I wouldn’t exclude her from All-Star consideration,” Parker remarked.

She continued, urging players to examine their own perspectives: “Seeing Clark as the 11th-best guard raises some serious questions.” Statistically, Clark’s numbers speak volumes, with averages of 21.2 points and 8.2 assists per game, significantly contributing to her team’s strong performance. Still, discussions about her defense and turnovers persist.

The voting mechanics themselves are under scrutiny too. It appears that less than half of WNBA players participated in voting, which can foster an environment where popularity and personal relations affect the results.

Despite the mixed reactions, Clark was ultimately included in the All-Star starting roster. Nevertheless, Parker hinted that the voting outcomes reveal more about the voters’ biases than about Clark herself.

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