Caitlin Clark voting controversy: WNBA fans share Sheryl Swoopes’ theory

Caitlin Clark received 66 of the 67 votes for the WNBA Rookie of the Year award. Many fans believe the other vote was cast by Sheryl Swoopes.

Caitlin Clark, the top WNBA rookie, was denied a unanimous Rookie of the Year award, with one vote going to Angel Reese. Some fans believe this vote was cast by basketball legend Sheryl Swoopes.

Clark, the first overall choice from Iowa by the Indiana Fever, averaged 19.2 points and a league-best 8.4 assists per game.

The 22-year-old also considerably enhanced interest in the sport, resulting in record attendance. She was instrumental in guiding the Fever to the postseason, where they were eliminated in the first round by the Connecticut Sun.

The Caitlin Clark Voting Controversy Unveiled

Clark created WNBA history by achieving the first two triple-doubles by a rookie, setting a league single-game record with 19 assists, and being the first rookie to score at least 30 points and 10 assists in the same game.

These accomplishments earned her 66 out of 67 votes for the league’s Rookie of the Year title.

Reese, Clark’s longstanding adversary, got the final vote following a remarkable season in which she established a new WNBA rebound record of 446, breaking Sylvia Fowles’ previous record of 404 set in 2018.

The 22-year-old Chicago Sky star also has 15 consecutive double-doubles, the most by any WNBA player and the most by a rookie.

Some WNBA fans believe the vote was made by Swoopes, a sport great who has previously appeared to criticize Clark by suggesting her NCAA D1 scoring record “wasn’t legitimate” and that she takes “about 40 shots a game”. Swoopes recently appeared on Reese’s podcast.

Some fans resorted to social media to accuse Sheryl Swoopes of being the sole opposing voter, with one X user writing, “We all know that ‘1’ was Sheryl Swoopes,” despite having no knowledge of Swoopes’ voting eligibility.

Another fan wrote, “Sheryl Swoopes, you aren’t fooling anyone. Haters will hate, and envy does not look good on anyone. “Grow up already!”

Meanwhile, Clark expressed her thanks and joy after collecting the Rookie of the Year Award. “I am really honored to be chosen Rookie of the Year, but more than that, I am grateful to everyone who has supported me this season — my family and friends, my teammates, the Fever organization, and everyone who has cheered us on throughout the season.

Fan Reactions: Divided Over Swoopes’ Perspective

“I am so proud of what we have accomplished and excited about what the future holds,” Clark said in a statement.

Others supported Swoopes against the baseless charges. “My God, Sheryl Swoopes lives rent-free in so many of these people’s heads,” an admirer said.

A supporter of LSU said: “They’re dragging Sheryl Swoopes and I’m not even sure she was one of the 67 people that had a vote.”

Clark’s longtime nemesis, Reese, received the other vote following a stellar season in which she set a WNBA rebound record of 446, breaking Sylvia Fowles’ previous record of 404 from 2018.

The 22-year-old Chicago Sky star also recorded 15 consecutive double-doubles, the most ever by a WNBA player and the most double-doubles by a rookie.

Some WNBA fans believe the vote was made by Swoopes, a sport great who has previously appeared to disparage Clark by suggesting her NCAA D1 scoring record “wasn’t legitimate” and that she takes “about 40 shots a game”. Swoopes was also recently featured on Reese’s podcast.

“We all know that ‘1’ was Sheryl Swoopes,” one fan asserted on X, despite not knowing if Swoopes is eligible to vote. “Sheryl Swoopes, you’re not fooling anyone. Haters will hate, and envy does not look good in anyone. “Grow up already,” another bravely tweeted.