Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark is a popular player outside of the WNBA.

Caitlin Clark sits 2nd among NBA players' favorite athletes ahead of 24 Grand Slam champion

Modified Apr 22, 2024 21:51 GMT

Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark is apparently a popular athlete among NBA players. Online sports news publication The Athletic put forth a question to 133 anonymous players about who their favorite athlete is outside the NBA. Seemingly, Clark was the second-highest vote-getter in the poll.

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

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

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Caitlin Clark was ranked second, next to top vote-getter Lamar Jackson. Out of the NBA players who participated in the poll, 13.0% voted for the Baltimore Ravens quarterback, while the 2024 WNBA No. 1 draft pick got 6.1% of the votes. Novak Djokovic, a 24-time tennis Grand Slam champion, was ranked third and garnered 4.3% of the votes from NBA players.

Aside from Clark, WNBA players Sabrina Ionescu, Kelsey Plum, Angel Reese, A'ja Wilson and NCAA standout JuJu Watkins were also included in The Athletic's anonymous poll question.

The poll results prove how Clark has made an impact not only in the WNBA but also in the NBA.

Anonymous NBA player on Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark: "She's unreal"

The former Iowa Hawkeyes star has made a lasting impact in the basketball world, as her popularity has already carried over to the pro ranks. While she has yet to play a game in the WNBA, the "Caitlin Clark effect" has also reached the NBA.

Per The Athletic, an anonymous NBA player spoke highly of the 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.”

Caitlin Clark's popularity is at an all-time high after leading the Hawkeyes to the championship game in the 2024 NCAA Tournament. Her performance throughout the year was instrumental in her being selected first overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA draft.

Now that Clark is officially a pro in the WNBA, expectations will be high, as her success in the league will determine her greatness between now and the future. Clark's popularity could reach more hoops fans and encourage them to catch her play in the WNBA live in arenas and on TV.

Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever will play the Connecticut Sun on the WNBA's opening night on May 14, Tuesday, at 8 p.m. ET at Mohegan Sun Arena.