When people talk about “first among equals” in women’s basketball, Caitlin Clark is usually the first name mentioned. She has shattered WNBA rookie records and lived up to the sky-high expectations that followed her out of the 2020 high school recruiting class.
That group-featuring Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers, Cameron Brink, and Kamilla Cardoso-is widely considered the most influential in the modern era. All have become household names, but after Clark‘s latest milestone, is she the clear standout, or does the debate remain open?
The conversation returned to the spotlight after the Indiana Fever defeated the Minnesota Lynx in the Commissioner’s Cup Final. Head coach Stephanie White made a statement by wearing Clark‘s sold-out Nike sneakers courtside as Indiana rallied from a slow start to win 74-59 and claim both a half-million dollar prize and a title.
The twist? Clark was ruled out of the game with a lingering groin injury. Still, she celebrated the win with her teammates, underlining her leadership and foundational role in Indiana’s Cup journey.
Fans weigh Clark’s WNBA success against Bueckers and Reese’s college glory
Social media quickly reignited the debate: Can Clark be considered the top player from the 2020 class if she did not play in the title game? Some critics pointed out, “She never even played in the game so she didn’t even win the championship nice try,” while others highlighted her crucial role in leading Indiana through Cup play. Clark’s return from injury earlier in the tournament saw her explode for 32 points against the New York Liberty and another strong showing against the Connecticut Sun, performances that powered Indiana to the final.
The win made Clark the first among the 2020 top five recruits to win a WNBA title of any kind or reach the playoffs. Meanwhile, Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso missed the playoffs this year, and Paige Bueckers just entered the league after leading UConn to an NCAA title. Fans noted, “Wow Clark is the only one from the top 5 2020 HS class to make the playoffs in the WNBA AND win a championship of any kind in the WNBA.”
Yet the debate is not so simple. As some fans pointed out, “Only one in the top five also doesn’t have a ring,” referencing the fact that Bueckers, Reese, Cardoso, and Brink all won NCAA championships, while Clark fell just short in college. Still, Clark is the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer and a two-time National Player of the Year-accolades that keep her firmly in the “best of the class” conversation.
In the end, Clark‘s Cup win has sparked a new round of discussion about which superstar-Clark, Bueckers, or Reese-can truly claim to be the best of their generation.
The only certainty is that their rivalry and their accomplishments are elevating women’s basketball to new heights.
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