The WNBA has been on a rapid rise in popularity, drawing in new fans, increasing viewership, and commanding more media attention than ever before. At the center of this transformation is a single name: Caitlin Clark.
In just two seasons with the Indiana Fever, Clark has gone from college sensation to the undeniable face of professional women’s basketball.
While the league’s overall growth has involved numerous players and efforts, few would dispute the seismic impact Clark has made. And one of the NBA’s most outspoken and respected voices-Draymond Green-recently made his thoughts crystal clear on the matter.
When asked who he believes is the face of the WNBA, the Golden State Warriors forward didn’t hesitate: “Caitlin Clark. No question,” Green posted on Threads (@money23green).
Coming from a player who’s shared the floor with generational stars like Stephen Curry, that statement carries serious weight. Green has first-hand experience in recognizing star power-and according to him, Caitlin Clark fits that mold.
Clark’s meteoric rise
Clark entered the WNBA with massive expectations following a decorated collegiate career at Iowa, where she was a four-time All-American and shattered multiple records. Selected first overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2024 draft, she wasted no time making an impression.
Her rookie season ended with a well-deserved WNBA Rookie of the Year award. Now in her second year, Clark remains the most talked-about player in the league. Despite battling through a mid-season shooting slump and some nagging injuries, she continues to produce elite numbers: 16.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 8.8 assists, and 1.6 steals per game.
What separates Clark from her peers, however, isn’t just her box score. It’s the level of attention and excitement she brings to every arena she enters. No player in recent WNBA history has generated this level of buzz-tickets sell out when she’s in town, merchandise flies off the shelves, and fans across demographics tune in to watch her play.
Improvements to be made
She might not statistically be the league’s top player just yet, but in terms of cultural influence and visibility, Clark is in a league of her own.
Draymond Green’s declaration echoes that truth. It also subtly places Clark in elite company. Green has spent his entire NBA career with Stephen Curry and has played against LeBron James in multiple Finals.
He knows what it looks like when an athlete becomes the face of an entire sport. For him to identify Clark in that way puts her alongside the likes of Curry and James-not just for talent, but for presence, influence, and legacy-building potential.
As Clark continues her sophomore season, all eyes remain fixed on her journey. And if players like Green are right, we may be witnessing the emergence of not just a women’s basketball icon, but one of the defining athletes of her generation.
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