Caitlin Clark is one of the most entertaining players in the WNBA, a must-watch talent every time she steps onto the court. But is she the best player?
Not according to ESPNâs writers, who recently re-ranked the WNBAâs 25 best players ahead of the July 19 All-Star Game in Indianapolis.
Topping the list was not Clark, but rather Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier.
Elected an All-Star for the fifth time, the 28-year-old Collier is averaging a career-high 23.9 points on 51.9% shooting to go with 7.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.7 steals.
âCollier leads the WNBA in scoring by more than three points per game and is a leading contender to repeat as Defensive Player of the Year, averaging a combined 3.2 steals and blocks per game,â ESPNâs Kevin Pelton wrote. âAfter finishing runner-up for MVP to A’ja Wilson and losing a WNBA Finals series that went the distance, Collier has established herself as the league’s best player and the Lynx as the league’s best team.â
What Sets Napheesa Collier Apart?
The 6-foot-1 Collier has been a steady force for the first-place Lynx (19-4). She scored 29 points in Monday’s 91-78 victory over the Chicago Sky, becoming the first player this season with 10 games of 25 points or more. In addition to leading the WNBA in scoring, Collier ranks top 10 in rebounds, steals, field-goal percentage and minutes played.
Collier won Defensive Player of the Year last season and is the frontrunner to win her first MVP award later this year. BetMGM lists Collier as a -550 favorite, ahead of Phoenixâs Alyssa Thomas (+700), New Yorkâs Breanna Stewart (+2000) and Indianaâs Clark (+2000).
Collier finished runner-up for MVP last year before leading the Lynx to the WNBA Finals, where they lost in five games to the Liberty.
Collier was also voted the WNBAâs top player by her peers in an anonymous poll conducted recently by the Athletic. She received 17 of the 36 votes cast to finish ahead of Wilson (15), Stewart (2), Thomas (1) and Atlantaâs Allisha Gray (1).
âI love players who make the game look effortless, and her footwork is unreal,â one player said.
Another player commented: âShe has had an incredible last couple years. She just hasnât quite gotten there. Last year she had an MVP season, but Aâja had an insane season, and I think (Collier) is continuing to grow this year.â
Where Did Other WNBA Stars Rank?
ESPN ranked Wilson as the WNBAâs second-best player, ahead of Thomas, Stewart and New Yorkâs Sabrina Ionescu. Clark, who has fought through injuries to average 16.7 points, 9.0 assists and 1.7 steals in her second WNBA season, came in ninth.
Collier was ranked second in the preseason.
Players who have missed more than half of their teamsâ games this season were left off the list.
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