The WNBA holds fan voting as part of the selection process to determine the players who will play in the All-Star Game every year. This time around, after the first returns of the voting, Caitlin Clark has ranked fifth. Pundit Tyrone Johnson has criticized Clark's fans, saying that their "golden child is fifth."

Amid the WNBA showcasing the voting rankings, Clark received 253,602 votes, placing fifth, with A'ja Wilson, Paige Bueckers, her teammate Aliyah Boston, and Breanna Stewart above her, respectively. Johnson has called it out, criticizing Clark's popularity on The Craig Carton Show.

"Your golden child is fifth among the fans," Johnson said. "Again, when I speak, I speak what I know, not what I think. The bottom line is this: the act is getting tired. Your golden child, the person who, if you say anything about, you literally threaten violence, is fifth."

Johnson targeted Clark's fans, claiming they threatened him after he earlier said that Clark is a villain and isn't likable. Johnson also said that Clark is not even the most-voted player on her own team, with Boston placing third on the list with 282,186 votes.

"The problem is not me, the problem is you, because you don't respect the women's game," he continued. "And if you're not the most popular player with the fans on your team, then obviously you're doing something wrong, because two years ago, you were the top guy."

Johnson said that the problem is with Clark's supporters and Clark, as she was the most-voted player for two straight years after arriving in the WNBA in 2024.

While the results are shocking for the Fever and Clark's fans, let us understand how the voting takes place.

WNBA All-Star Voting Process Has Caitlin Clark In Fifth Place For Now

The voting process is divided into three categories: Fan voting, which carries 50 percent weightage; voting by current players; and voting by the media, each carrying 25 percent of the total weightage.

All the voters need to fill out a ballot, voting for four guards and six frontcourt players. The votes are calculated by averaging the three aforementioned voting banks, with fan votes serving as a tiebreaker when needed. There are also double-voting days throughout the process.

Furthermore, the WNBA coaches vote for three guards, five frontcourt players, and four players with random positions for the All-Star reserve selections, with the exception that coaches can't vote for their own players.

The two-time All-Star amassed 1,293,526 votes in 2025, and although ranking fifth, she should secure a spot on the All-Star team. Fans are concerned about Clark ranking fifth.

Now the question is, is the 2024 Rookie of the Year's popularity diminishing?

Recently, journalists and pundits have criticized Clark for having an attitude, which could be a reason for the low voter turnout.

Clark has also been committing fouls, already reaching four technical fouls, which further showcases her roughness on the court this season.

Her stats, though, do not show any lack of play in her offensive style, averaging 20.8 points, 8.2 assists, and 4,4 rebounds per game. These seem similar to her rookie season, where she averaged 19.2 points, 8.4 assists, and 5.7 rebounds.

Compared with the first-ranked Wilson, she is the leading scorer, averaging 26.1 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 3.1 assists. Stewart and Boston have each averaged more rebounds than Clark, at 8.9 and 8.6, respectively.

However, Paige Bueckers doesn't have a better stat than Clark in points, rebounds, or assists so far.

Voting will officially close on June 27, with the game taking place at the United Center, Chicago, on Saturday, July 25, 2026.

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Written by

Dhruv Singh

Edited by

Koushik Biswas