Rookie sensation Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever seems to have garnered significant admiration from NBA players. The digital sports media outlet, The Athletic, surveyed 133 professional basketball players on their preferred non-NBA athlete. Evidently, Clark emerged as the runner-up in the poll, receiving the second-highest number of votes.

Winsidr’s WNBA reporter Myles Ehrlich shared the poll results on X (formerly Twitter):

“Some women’s basketball representation on The Athletic’s anoοπγμους NBA player poll! “women’s basketball players-Sabrina lonescu, Kelsey Plum, Angel Reese, JuJu Watkins, A’ja Wilson [& Caitlin] Clark-were named on 12.2 percent of all NBA players’ ballots.”

Caitlin Clark secured the second spot, trailing only the leading vote recipient Lamar Jackson. Among the NBA players surveyed, 13.0% favored the Baltimore Ravens’ quarterback, while the 2024 WNBA top draft pick garnered 6.1% of the votes. Novak Djokovic, a tennis legend with 24 Grand Slam titles, claimed third place, accumulating 4.3% of the NBA players’ votes.

In addition to Clark, The Athletic’s diverse poll featured WNBA stars Sabrina Ionescu, Kelsey Plum, Angel Reese, A’ja Wilson, along with standout college player JuJu Watkins.

These poll results underscore Clark’s influence not just within the WNBA but also across the NBA.

Anonymous NBA player on Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark: “She’s unreal”

The former standout of the Iowa Hawkeyes has left an indelible mark on the basketball realm, with her renown seamlessly transitioning to the professional stage. Despite her WNBA debut still pending, the ripple effect of the “Caitlin Clark phenomenon” has transcended into the NBA.

“According to The Athletic, numerous NBA players have praised the Indiana Fever guard.
She’s unreal,” the NBA player said. “I’m excited to see how her journey pans out and what she does for the women’s game.”

Following her instrumental role in leading the Hawkeyes to the championship game in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, Caitlin Clark’s popularity has soared. Her exceptional performances throughout the season culminated in her selection as the top pick by the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA draft.

Now officially a professional in the WNBA, Clark faces high expectations, with her success in the league shaping her legacy both in the present and the future. With her burgeoning popularity, Clark has the potential to engage a wider audience of basketball enthusiasts, enticing them to witness her WNBA matches live in arenas and on television.

Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever are scheduled to face the Connecticut Sun on May 14, Tuesday, at 8 p.m. ET at Mohegan Sun Arena for the WNBA’s opening night.