The WNBA, and women’s sports in general, are becoming increasingly popular year after year.
But no rookie draft class has captured as much attention as the 2024 class, with to players like Los Angeles Sparks forward Cameron Brink, Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese, and, of course, Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark.
While Warriors veteran guard Draymond Green was quick to praise Clark and the rookie class for bringing a new light to the W, he believes the WNBA should have done the same with A’ja Wilson years ago and squandered an opportunity to market the Las Vegas Aces center.
“I’m not claiming Caitlin Clark is the best thing since sliced bread. “Quite frankly, if you want my opinion, that’s A’ja Wilson,” Green stated on his podcast “The Draymond Green Show.” “A’ja Wilson is the best thing since sliced bread in the WNBA.” I don’t necessarily think it’s all Caitlin Clark; A’ja Wilson is fantastic. A’ja Wilson, to me, represents the American ideal. Coming from a two-parent household, she matured and improved as a young Black girl, overcoming adversity to become what would be remembered as the greatest player to ever grace the WNBA. That’s my honest opinion.
“I believe A’ja Wilson is as marketable as anyone in the WNBA, but you need to figure out how to promote the product. So I’m not going to sit here and act like Caitlin Clark hasn’t done anything for the WNBA. That’s bullshit; she has. She intends to continue. No, I’m not assuming it’s just her. I believe you have a gold mine in the WNBA sitting right there, as marketable as anyone in A’Ja Wilson, but haven’t found out how to make it happen. It’s not A’ja’s fault. A’Ja has a lot going for her that makes her quite marketable.”
Wilson, 27, was taken first overall by Las Vegas in the 2018 WNBA Draft after playing at South Carolina. In 195 games over seven seasons, she averaged 20.1 points on 49.1 percent shooting, 8.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.8 blocks.
This season, the 6-foot-4 big man leads the league in rebounds per game, 2-point field goals, and 2-point field goal attempts.
She won Rookie of the Year in 2018 and has been named WNBA MVP twice, as well as Defensive Player of the Year in two straight seasons.
The two-time WNBA champion and 2020 Olympic gold winner has also shown no signs of slowing down, averaging 26.5 points on 48.4 percent shooting, 12.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.8 blocks in six games this season.
As brilliant as Wilson has been on all levels, Clark’s impact has captivated a nationwide audience with record-breaking viewership six years after she joined the league.
Clark’s transition to the WNBA has not been simple. After being drafted first overall by Indiana, the star rookie is averaging 15.6 points on 35.7% shooting from the field and 29.7% from three, along with 5.1 rebounds and 6.4 assists.
However, the media attention she has received has extended beyond her work. Clark has been roughed up by opposing veterans and criticized on social media for what she offers to the WNBA.
While Green believes the W wasted a marketing opportunity with Wilson, the league can thank Clark and numerous other rookies for drawing in new fans. They’re still watching, whether it’s Wilson dominating the paint or Clark’s sharpshooting. That’s a victory for everybody.
