Full Breakdown
Candace Parker Slams WNBA Players Over Caitlin Clark’s All-Star Vote Ranking
7/10/2026, 5:30:29 PM
The Controversial Player Vote
In the 2026 WNBA All-Star voting, Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark was named a starter after finishing second in fan voting and third in media voting. However, the player-ballot component placed her 11th among guards, meaning ten peers received more top-four votes. The All-Star selection formula weights fan votes at 50%, media votes at 25%, and player votes at 25%. The voting period concluded in the weeks leading up to the All-Star Game scheduled for July 25, 2026.
Background & Context
Clark entered the league as the No. 1 overall pick in 2024 and has quickly become a marquee attraction, regularly drawing large crowds and TV audiences. She currently ranks second in assists per game (8.2) and fourth in points per game (21.2) league-wide, shooting a career-best 43 % from the field while posting a career-low turnover rate. Despite missing three games this season, her statistical output remains among the league’s best for a guard.
Data & Statistics
- Fan vote: 2nd (1,023,321 votes)
- Player vote: 11th-highest total of top-four guard votes
- League rankings: 2nd in assists, 4th in points, 43 % FG%
Official Statements & Responses
Retired three-time champion and two-time MVP Candace Parker, now a Prime Video analyst and co-host of the *Post Moves* podcast with Fever teammate Aliyah Boston, condemned the player results. She argued that the low ranking reflects “insecurities” among voting peers and called for “rules with the WNBA players because this is getting out of hand.” Parker also highlighted procedural issues: the Los Angeles Sparks reportedly failed to distribute ballots to their players, and the league has no rule preventing players from voting for teammates, which may skew results.
Criticism & Opposition
Some observers note that Parker’s description of Clark as the “11th-best guard” is technically imprecise. According to *Sports Illustrated*, the player ballot asked each athlete to name their top four guards, and Clark received the 11th-most top-four votes, not a straight ranking of 11th place. Critics also point to the low participation rate—fewer than half of the league’s players submitted ballots—suggesting the vote may not reflect a comprehensive peer assessment.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Ranking semantics: Parker’s “11th-best guard” phrasing versus the “11th-highest total of top-four votes” reported by *SI*.
- Ballot distribution: The Sparks’ failure to provide ballots raises questions about the completeness of the player vote.
- Participation: No official figure on the exact number of players who voted, only that “not even half” submitted ballots.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I wholeheartedly believe that there needs to be some rules with the WNBA players, because this is getting out of hand,” — Candace Parker, *Post Moves* podcast
- “I don’t know. I think people need to look at themselves in the mirror and realize, like, man, you’ve got some insecurities if you’re sitting down and putting Caitlin Clark as the 11th best guard. Y’all need to go to a therapist and figure out what childhood issues you have. Cause if you’re sitting there and looking at yourself in the mirror and putting her as 11th best guard and you’re putting you as eighth best, like, come on.” — Candace Parker, *Post Moves* podcast
- “When I sat down, as much as I did not like Diana Taurasi, there ain’t no way I’m not going to write her as an All-Star,” — Candace Parker, *Post Moves* podcast
- “Caitlin Clark [being] voted 11th-best guard by WNBA players, that’s crazy.” — Candace Parker, *Post Moves* podcast
What’s Next
The All-Star Game will take place on July 25, 2026, featuring Clark as a starter. The controversy may prompt the league to review voting procedures, though no formal changes have been announced.
