Robert Griffin III, the former NFL quarterback known as RG III, has publicly criticized the WNBA players after Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark was ranked ninth among guards in this year’s All-Star voter poll, despite leading fan voting. Clark, who joined the league in 2024, has been a standout figure, but the discrepancy between fan support and peer voting has sparked controversy.
Griffin accused some WNBA players of deliberately lowering Clark’s ranking, expressing disbelief that a player regarded as a “once-in-a-generation” talent would be voted so low by her colleagues.
“I’m so tired of all the Caitlin Clark hate from some players. The fans and the media clearly understand the once-in-a-generation level player Caitlin Clark is,” Griffin tweeted.
“When Jordan, Lebron, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Usain Bolt, Tom Brady and Messi came on the scene, everyone didn’t like them but they recognized their greatness and respected it while competing their butt off to stop them. They didn’t vote them low on purpose.
“The WNBA players voted Caitlin Clark as the 9th-best guard in the WNBA. Dear lord, baby Jesus. That’s an average of the votes, by the way, so that means some players purposely voted her out of the top 15 for her to land at #9,” Griffin added.
Griffin Points to Possible Personal Biases Among Players
RG III acknowledged that many players ranked ahead of Clark, including Allisha Gray, Paige Bueckers, Sabrina Ionescu, and Skylar Diggins, are exceptional talent themselves. However, he argued that Clark’s skill and performance level warrant a spot much higher than ninth, especially considering she missed seven games due to injury this season.
While Griffin did not suggest all players were against Clark, he indicated that some intentionally voted her lower than deserved, fueling tensions within the league.
Tensions Highlighted by Conflict Between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese
One notable incident that appears to have intensified the rivalry involved a physical confrontation between Clark and Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese during a WNBA game in May. Clark was called for a flagrant foul on Reese, leading to a heated exchange between the two players. Indiana won the game.
Following the altercation, Griffin took to Twitter to accuse Reese of harboring animosity toward Clark.
“After watching Caitlin Clark’s flagrant foul on Angel Reese and the aftermath, there is no way Angel Reese can continue the lie that she doesn’t dislike Caitlin Clark,” Griffin tweeted. “I know what hate looks like.”
This season, Caitlin Clark averages 18.2 points, 8.9 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game, while Angel Reese is posting 12.4 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists.
Impact on the WNBA and Clark’s Career Moving Forward
The controversy surrounding Caitlin Clark’s WNBA All-Star snub and the rising tensions among players reveal deeper divisions within the league’s competitive landscape. Such discord could affect team dynamics and fan perceptions as Clark continues to establish herself in the professional ranks. Griffin’s vocal support underscores the external recognition of Clark’s impact but also highlights the challenges she faces in gaining full respect from some of her peers.
As Clark’s rookie season progresses, the implications of these disputes may shape how her legacy develops in the WNBA, possibly influencing future player votes and fan engagement with the league.