WNBA Players' Caitlin Clark Move 'Is Insulting,' Claims Former Star
Former WNBA star Stacey Dales can't believe how Caitlin Clark is perceived by her peers in the league.
Clark was voted as a starter for the 2026 All-Star Game, but it was no thanks to her fellow WNBA players. While she finished second in fan votes and third in media votes, she was only 11th among guards in player votes.
Clark is averaging 20.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 7.9 assists per game this season. She's fifth in the league in scoring and second in assists, so she definitely has the numbers to be in the conversation as one of the best guards in the WNBA.
That is why Dales, who played in the WNBA for five seasons and was a one-time All-Star in 2002, couldn't help but be shocked that she finished outside the top 10 among guards in the player voting.
"You see 11th with Caitlin Clark, and it is insulting," Dales said during an appearance on "First Take."
"It is preposterous to consider she would be even deemed worthy of or unworthy of being in a conversation of the 11th best guard in the WNBA. And frankly, to further the discourse, to consider the fact that some believe that she's not even worthy of being in the top four or being a starter amongst these All-Star players is, to me, foolishness."
Dales questioned whether WNBA players are actually watching games, as she went on to praise Clark and her skill set.
"Caitlin Clark is exceptional. She is extraordinary. She is elite. She is incredibly difficult to defend. She plays on extraordinary angles, both with and without the basketball," Dales added.
"It is insulting. It is preposterous. ... Caitlin Clark is exceptional."
— First Take (@FirstTake) July 10, 2026
-@StaceyDales on Caitlin Clark being voted 11th among WNBA guards pic.twitter.com/aZLc0c1kCi
Dales acknowledged the fact that the player voting doesn't fully reflect how Clark is viewed by her peers because only 85 of the league's pool of roughly 180 players cast ballots for the All-Star Game. Still, Dales couldn't believe that many didn't even consider Clark one of the top guards in the WNBA.
For what it's worth, Dales is not alone in her assessment, with WNBA legend Candace Parker also calling out the players for the decision on her podcast.
"I think people need to look at themselves in the mirror and realize like, man, you got some insecurities," Parker said. "If you're sitting down and putting in Caitlin Clark as the 11th-best guard, like y'all need to go to the therapist and figure out what childhood issues you have."
Related: "It's Really Hard": Caitlin Clark Doesn't Hold Back on Indiana Fever Decision
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This story was originally published July 10, 2026 at 11:04 PM.