Women's Fastbreak On SI

Caitlin Clark Is Showing Up In A'ja Wilson's MVP Rearview

Robin Lundberg

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

I'm just going to say it. Las Vegas Aces star A'ja Wilson and Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark are the two best WNBA players I've watched. That's no disrespect to any of the other great players in the league, it's simply what I believe. And given Clark has ended the Rookie of the Year debate, while breaking records, it is only natural she will start to be mentioned in the MVP conversation. A place A'ja currently sits atop, with no one close.

Wilson is the deserving front-runner, as she has been absolutely dominant for the Aces. A'ja is putting up a ridiculous stat line of 27.2 points and 11.9 boards heading into the Olympic break. But it isn't as if Clark doesn't have a case to start to argue. She has already jumped to third in the odds just behind Sabrina Ionescu of the New York Liberty and I feel it is only a matter of time before she winds up in the runner up spot, especially if the Fever can get to .500 after the Olympic break. Sabrina has been excellent by the way. Ionescu is a terrific all around guard and I would accept the argument that she is currently a more complete player than Caitlin. However, CC is simply more dynamic and is proving to be responsible for more production than anyone.

Clark's July has been one for the record books, literally. Caitlin is averaging 20.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 12.5 assists this month, the latter number being the highest assist average for any player in league history. CC is also pacing to break the all-time mark for assists in a single season. At her current pace she will certainly get there, as she needs to average 7.3 assists per contest to move past the mark currently held by Alyssa Thomas of the Connecticut Sun. It seems highly likely Clark will also hold and probably expand her lead when it comes to total points generated, either off her own scoring or assists to teammates.

Of course anyone who knows how to read odds understands that it is more likely Wilson wins the MVP unanimously than it is Caitlin actually catches her. Still, Clark has already solidified herself amongst the best players in the W. Which means eventually the conversation at the top of the league will come down to the two stars who both wear 22.

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Robin Lundberg
ROBIN LUNDBERG

Robin Lundberg is a media veteran and hoops head who has spent the bulk of his career with iconic brands like Sports Illustrated and ESPN. His insights have also been featured on platforms such as Fox and CNN and he can currently be heard hosting shows for Sirius XM and on his burgeoning YouTube show. And now he brings his basketball expertise to Women's Fastbreak on SI!

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