ESPN analyst says there's a star more deserving than Caitlin Clark to be face of the WNBA

Endia Berger

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ESPN analyst says there's a star more deserving than Caitlin Clark to be face of the WNBA image

Who is the face of the WNBA? When many think of the league, names like Candace Parker, Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi come to mind. But what about players from this current era?

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Many argue that the new face of the league is none other than Caitlin Clark. Drafted No. 1 overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Clark entered the league as a household name, thanks to her legendary college career.

In her rookie professional season, she shattered records and earned Rookie of the Year honors. Now in her second year, despite missing some games due to injury, Clark has continued to perform at an All-Star level, leading the Fever to a Commissioner’s Cup championship and earning the title of All-Star captain.

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But is that enough to name her the face of the league, especially so early in her career? Many believe she still has more to prove.

ESPN analyst Andraya Carter shared her thoughts on who truly deserves that title. “To me, when I think about someone being the face of the league, it takes longevity to be the face of something.”

Carter compared the discussion to college sports, where players are only around for a few years before moving on. In that context, she says, it’s often not players but coaches like “Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma” who are the recognizable faces of women's college basketball.

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She clarified that, in her view, the face of the WNBA isn't necessarily the most popular or most exciting player, acknowledging “Clearly Caitlin Clark” fits that description.

Instead, Carter believes the face of a league is a person who has shown staying power and has won championships. “Understands what it means to succeed at the highest level in that league,” she said.

For Carter, that player is A’ja Wilson. Since entering the WNBA in 2018, Wilson has won three WNBA MVP awards and two championships, giving her the résumé and longevity that Carter believes defines a true face of the league.

Still, Carter acknowledged Clark’s impact on growing the game and noted that the conversation could shift in the future, especially if Clark wins a championship and multiple MVP honors.

Endia Berger

Endia Berger is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. She has a rich background in sports media and journalism, contributing to TNT Sports, the NCAA, USA Football and more. With a deep passion for storytelling, she is committed to crafting stories that highlight the excitement and human elements of the games we love.