BOMBSHELL: Did Dawn Staley’s Past Shade Play a Role in Caitlin Clark’s Brutal Snub from 2025’s Top 10 Women’s Athletes List?
The women’s sports world is exploding after USA Today dropped its Top 10 Women’s Athletes of 2025 list on December 30 – and Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark is shockingly nowhere to be found!
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Las Vegas Aces dominator A’ja Wilson rightfully claims No. 1 after another MVP-caliber year, UConn’s championship hero Paige Bueckers grabs No. 3, and Lynx star Napheesa Collier locks in No. 5 – but Clark, the global phenomenon who revolutionized women’s basketball, gets zero love.
The brutal reason? Clark’s nightmare 2025 season ravaged by lower-body injuries – she suited up for just 13 games, missing the Fever’s entire playoff push. The list zeros in on on-court impact during the calendar year, and limited play torpedoed her chances.
But fans are raging: “Caitlin Clark disrespect is insane!” “Where’s the one with worldwide following?” Many scream it’s a blatant snub ignoring her massive cultural dominance.
Enter Dawn Staley – the legendary South Carolina coach whose history with Clark snubs fuels wild speculation.
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Back in 2024, Staley sat on the USA Basketball committee that controversially left Clark off the Olympic team, sparking nationwide fury. Though she later admitted Clark’s explosive play would’ve put her in “high consideration” if repicked, the damage was done – and some fans still blame Staley for undervaluing the rookie sensation.
Did that old drama subtly influence 2025 rankings? No direct link to this USA Today list, but the timing has conspiracy theories flying amid Clark’s injury-plagued year.
One thing’s clear: Even sidelined, Clark remains women’s sports’ biggest lightning rod. Her comeback in 2026? Expect absolute fireworks!
Caitlin Clark Snub From Top 10 Women Athletes List Sparks Heated Debate
Caitlin Clark was not included in a top women’s athletes of 2025 list, which is getting mixed reactions.
May 4, 2025; Iowa City, IA, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) in action against the Brazil National Team at Carver-Haweye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images | Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
There’s no question that Indiana Fever star guard Caitlin Clark is the most popular women’s basketball player in the world. And there’s a case to be made that Clark is also the most popular women’s athlete in the world, regardless of sport.
However, there’s also no question that Clark didn’t have the 2025 season she was hoping for. The 23-year-old only played in 13 of the Fever’s WNBA games this season, and had to sit out their entire run into the postseason because of various injuries to her lower body. While this didn’t necessarily impact her star power, the generational 2024 Clark produced does seem like a long time ago to this point.
And other women’s basketball stars have ascended since then. While A’ja Wilson was already the WNBA’s best player, she furthered the gap between herself and the rest of the league in 2025, given that she won another WNBA MVP Award and the Las Vegas Aces secured Wilson’s third league championship.
Paige Bueckers also had a 2025 that rivaled Clark’s 2024 campaign, only that Bueckers won a national championship while Clark set the NCAA record for all-time points scored. But both were No. 1 overall picks in their respective WNBA Drafts and went on to win the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award.
Sep 11, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) celebrates after the game against the Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Fans At Odds Over Caitlin Clark’s Women’s Athletes List Exclusion
On December 30, USA Today’s Cydney Henderson published a list that ranked the top 10 women’s athletes in 2025. A’ja Wilson came in at No. 1, Paige Bueckers earned the No. 3 spot, and Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier secured the No. 5 ranking.
Caitlin Clark was nowhere to be found. And this upset many of her fans.
“Sorry, do not know any of them?
“Wheres Caitlin Clark, you know, the only one with a world wide following?” added @Tipzyyuk with a graphic of Clark.
Sorry, do not know any of them?
Wheres Caitlin Clark, you know, the only one with a world wide following? pic.twitter.com/v7tF3rhewN
— Paul – NowYouKnow 🤟🏻 (@Tipzyyuk) December 30, 2025
“Caitlin Clark disrespect is insane. Watch how she win mvp next year,” wrote @LightGaffle in a comment to an X post showing Henderson’s list.
@dadadadani44 added, “No Caitlin Clark is a choice.”
“Caitlin Clark and Paige are the only ones with name recognition,” added @WingNut48103.
“Hahahaha. Some list,” @M_Routh68 wrote with a GIF of Clark flexing.
Hahahaha. Some list. pic.twitter.com/fWChcRjF3G
— Michael Routh (@M_Routh68) December 30, 2025
Other fans are noting that Clark’s inactive 2025 made it so she couldn’t have been included on the list.
“too many strains , sprains to qualify,” wrote @petebaker78, who had the Fever’s logo as their profile picture.
@Juhhmiaa added, “’She should be on this list’ that girl was on the bench most of the season 😂 like she doesn’t deserve top 10 just for breathing”.
“The main focus of the list is what these athletes did on the field, court, etc during the calendar year of 2025. Clark missed the majority of the 2025 WNBA season due to her injury,” said @Tresse007.
“why would she be on the list if she didnt play a complete season??? you guys need to use your critical thinking skills,” @nanzhater wrote of Clark.
why would she be on the list if she didnt play a complete season??? you guys need to use your critical thinking skills
— Keep ezi/dom together (@nanzhater) December 30, 2025
“she played 13 games this season WHAT are we talking about,” noted @zamachstanu.
The bottom line is that Clark will almost certainly find her way back on this list if she can stay healthy in 2026.
