Why Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese missed ESPN's greatest WNBA players of all time ranking originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
ESPN has released a ranking of the greatest 30 players in WNBA history to commemorate the league's 30th season, which continues through the ongoing WNBA Finals between the Atlanta Dream and the Golden State Valkyries.
When the list dropped on Thursday, neither Dream superstar Angel Reese nor Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark were on it.
On a list chock-full of historic players, Clark and Reese just don't have the track record yet to merit inclusion among the greatest players in the history of the WNBA.
MORE: How Angel Reese and the Dream won Game 3 of the WNBA Finals after 10 minutes
However, as Reese nears a WNBA title, ESPN's panel is definitely taking notice.
Who just missed the cut? 👀 @MAVoepel breaks down the biggest snubs, underrated players and future greats from the WNBA top 30. https://t.co/TEyI99owUY
— espnW (@espnW) October 22, 2026
Both Clark and Reese have played just three WNBA seasons, and Clark's 2025 campaign was limited to 13 games due to a variety of soft tissue injuries.
That said, Clark was included on five of ESPN reporters' 23 ballots, while Reese was named on four.
Both players -- long seen as professional and personal rivals -- are on track to be considered among the best of their generation.
When ESPN revises this list in 2036 for the league's 40th anniversary, it stands to reason that Reese and Clark -- who will have a dozen seasons and multiple Olympic Games on their resumes -- will be on many more ballots.
More WNBA news:
Fever's Caitlin Clark in 'completely unfair situation' amid Kelsey Mitchell tension
Dream's Angel Reese keeps WNBA Finals MVP push on track with double-doubles mark
Gabby Williams' impassioned speech after Game 3 says it all about Valkyries' Finals struggles
Angel Reese's 4-word message makes Valkyries' WNBA Finals reality clear