Clark has the Fever humming at a key stage of the season

Caitlin Clark debate ignites as another NBA legend sings her praises: Best guard in basketball

Caitlin Clark‘s rookie year in the WNBA has proven divisive as fans and analysts attempt to reckon with the arrival of a new superstar who rewrote the NCAA record books before rocking up to the WNBA and returning the Indiana Fever to relevance.

But what can’t be debated is where Clark stands on the W‘s leaderboard. No player in the league is averaging more assists per game; only eight players have better point-per-game averages. The 22-year-old has adapted well to the league’s physicality and intensity, and it seems a matter of time until she wins her maiden MVP award.

Klay Thompson’s father raises the stakes

However, some analysts believe Clark should be considered for MVP honors right now. That includes two-time NBA champion and Los Angeles Lakers broadcaster Mychal Thompson — the father of four-time NBA champion and Dallas Mavericks sharpshooter Klay Thompson.

Thompson on Monday took to X/Twitter to declare Clark as the best guard in the WNBA after declaring her partnership with Kelsey Mitchell to be the best backcourt in both the WNBA and the NBA. He pointed to Clark’s statistical dominance — as well as the league’s rising attendance figures — as proof that she should be considered the league’s MVP.

Only Candace Parker — who played for the Lakers-affiliated Los Angeles Sparks to begin her career — has done what many think Clark will do: win Rookie of the Year and league MVP honors in the same season. And while Clark has played a huge role in the Fever‘s rally from a 3-10 start (Indiana is now 17-16), the team sits a modest sixth in the standings and would not be favored to advance in the playoffs.

However, the Fever still look likely to return to the postseason for the first time in eight years — and no one will want to face Clark in this form, as well as Mitchell, Aliyah Boston, and NaLyssa Smith. So even though Clark is unlikely to beat out A’ja Wilson or Napheesa Collier for MVP honors, the fear factor is real — and she will exploit it further in the years to come.