“IT’S NOT AS SIMPLE AS JUST PICKING NAMES” – Caitlin Clark FACES BACKLASH AND TOUGH DECISIONS As WNBA ALL-STAR VOTES POUR IN and FANS DEMAND ANSWERS About Her NEXT MOVE

Caitlin Clark’s meteoric rise has made her one of the most talked-about players in the WNBA—but now she’s facing a brand-new challenge. With the first round of All-Star voting results in, all eyes are on Clark as she’s expected to weigh in on selections that could make or break reputations. But with rising tensions and fan-favorite names in the mix, every decision comes with a price. Who will she stand by? And will her choices ignite new rivalries on the court?

See the shocking early results and what Clark might do next—it’s a turning point you don’t want to miss.

Caitlin Clark was the top WNBA All-Star vote-getter, and will now get to draft her team for the iconic exhibition game (Image: Stacy Revere, Getty Images)

Caitlin Clark is set to captain the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game, a role that might put her in an awkward spot with her fellow All-Stars.

The league’s biggest sensation will be participating in the star-studded game for the second consecutive season, having been part of the WNBA team together with Angel Reese that faced off against Team USA last year before the Paris Olympics.

Despite a second professional season plagued by injuries, Clark continues to dominate headlines across the league. Her Indiana Fever squad is a marked team on opponents’ calendars, attracting record-breaking crowds and sky-high ratings as Clark finds herself in the midst of some intense gameplay.

Clark’s inclusion in the 2025 All-Star Game was a given: the game is scheduled to take place in her home court, Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, on Saturday, July 19. However, after racking up over 1.293 million fan votes, Clark will shoulder additional responsibilities in this season’s revamped format.

As the top vote-getter, Clark has been named one of two team captains, a role that extends beyond mere symbolism. Alongside co-captain and Minnesota Lynx superstar Napheesa Collier – who garnered 1.176 million fan votes – Clark will handpick her own teammates in a fantasy-style draft leading up to the game.

This could potentially land Clark in a couple of tricky situations.

While Clark’s presence has undoubtedly bolstered the WNBA’s financial standing, she has found herself at loggerheads with several players during her nascent professional career.

Clark and Angel Reese have developed a fierce rivalry that started during their college days(Image: Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Clark has a well-known rivalry with Chicago Sky’s Reese, who led her team to victory over Clark’s Iowa on their way to an LSU national title. However, the two did join forces in last year’s tournament.

More recently, she squared off against Connecticut Sun guard Jacy Sheldon, a familiar adversary from her college days playing Big Ten games against Ohio State.

It remains uncertain whether Clark will have to decide to team up with a player she’s had past disagreements with. The announcement of the remaining eight starters is set for Monday at 7 p.m. ET.

Selections for the All-Star Game starters are determined by fan votes (50%), current WNBA players (25%), and a media panel (25%). The league’s head coaches will then select 12 reserves.

On Tuesday, July 8, Clark and Collier will draft their teams, starting with the starters before moving on to the reserves.

This isn’t the first time an All-Star Game has experimented with a fantasy-draft format.

The NBA implemented a draft for six games between 2018 and 2023, featuring LeBron James leading a team against squads chosen by Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Kevin Durant.