Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever have been shown respect by ESPN after the latest WNBA Power Rankings were released.
After the Fever finally moved above .500 for the first time in more than five years, ESPN bumped Indiana up to fourth in its rankings. The Fever are on a four-game winning streak, which is currently the largest in the WNBA and are within reach of a playoff spot.
The Fever could reach the postseason for the first time since 2016, and they would have Clark to thank for the vast increase in performance. Clark is one the leading candidates to be named WNBA Rookie of the Year but faces a battle with Chicago Sky guard Angel Reese for the coveted award.
Clark and Reese's infamous NCAA beef has transitioned over to the WNBA, but the Fever star made a major statement in the ROTY race after scoring 31 points in a 100-81 win over the Sky. Despite this, and Clark leading all rookies in points, assists, and steals, ESPN faced backlash when listing Reese ahead of her when debating the ROTY.
ESPN still sees Reese as No. 1, and to her credit, she's been exceptional for the Sky this season. Reese this season has set records for consecutive double-doubles in the WNBA (15), became the first rookie in NBA/WNBA with consecutive 20-rebound games since Shaquille O'Neal (1993), and the first player in WNBA history to record consecutive 20-rebound games.
Clark has also set her own records after becoming the leading scorer in NCAA history at Iowa. Clark became the first rookie in NBA and WNBA history to have back-to-back games with 25 or more points, 10 or more assists, and five or more 3-pointers made.
The Fever rookie is often humble, and amidst the mass debate online she told reporters that she did not care for individual awards. All Clark cares about is team success, and is enjoying her winning run in Indiana after a slow start to the season.
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"I think me and Angel would both give you the same answer," Clark said. "You don't wake up and think about individual awards. I know that's what all of you think we do. I know we don't. That's what everybody wants to make this about.
"Both of our teams are competing for playoff spots, that's our main focus. That's a selfish thing to just care about an individual award. And she would give you the same exact answer. I'm sure she has given you the same exact answer.
"If you're playing basketball to win individual awards, no matter what level you're at, you're doing it wrong." There have also been requests that Clark and Reese share the ROTY award, but the WNBA has yet to respond.
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