In a stunning twist that has sent shockwaves through WNBA circles, Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese—widely promoted as one of the league’s breakout stars—failed to land in the top 10 of this year’s All-Star Game fan voting, placing a distant 13th despite a massive media campaign and branding efforts that painted her as the league’s new face.
Meanwhile, Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark soared past the competition, securing over 516,000 fan votes, a figure more than triple Reese’s 173,000, and solidifying her place at the center of the WNBA’s surging popularity.
Hype vs. Performance
Reese’s fall from grace—at least in the eyes of the fans—marks a sharp contrast between media narrative and actual on-court performance. Over the past year, major outlets including Forbes and ESPN championed Reese as a central figure in women’s basketball’s renaissance. National ad campaigns, viral soundbites, and talk show appearances placed her front and center in the WNBA’s marketing strategy.
But the scoreboard—and now the fan vote—tells a different story.
Statistically, Reese’s rookie season has been underwhelming. She is shooting just 30.9% from the field, ranking 63rd out of 64 qualified players in field goal percentage. For a post player expected to finish high-percentage shots around the rim, that number is not just disappointing—it’s damning.
Despite leading the league in rebounding (averaging over 11 per game), her offensive inefficiencies and one-dimensional game have left fans unconvinced.
“Sure, she hustles for boards,” one analyst noted, “but that’s not enough to carry a team—or earn an All-Star spot.”
Fan Voting Doesn’t Lie
The WNBA’s All-Star voting process allocates 50% of the vote to fans, with 25% each going to players and media. This structure gives fans the largest voice in determining who deserves to represent the league—and this year, they made their views loud and clear.
While Reese struggled to generate voting momentum, Caitlin Clark surged, driven by consistent elite performances, highlight-worthy playmaking, and an undeniable ability to fill arenas. Other top vote-getters included Minnesota’s Napheesa Collier and Indiana’s Aliyah Boston, both of whom boast not only strong stats but also leadership and all-around contributions to their teams.
Clark’s rise isn’t just a flash in the pan—it’s a fan-driven movement backed by results. She’s earned her place through performance, not publicity.
A Disconnect Exposed
The disconnect between Reese’s media-driven branding and her performance-driven reception by fans has ignited debate across sports talk shows and social media. Why didn’t the narrative translate into support?
The answer lies in what fans value: production over promotion.
In comparison, Reese’s resume leans heavily on image rather than impact. From leading the NCAA in headlines last year to racking up endorsement deals and millions of social media followers, she’s become a cultural figure. But basketball is still the core product, and that’s where she hasn’t delivered—yet.
“She’s not just overhyped,” said one commentator. “She’s unprepared. You can’t fake it when fans are watching every possession.”
The Cost of Manufactured Stardom
The WNBA now faces a critical moment. The Reese saga is more than a voting blip—it’s a warning shot about the perils of trying to manufacture a superstar through branding without the game to back it up.
Reese’s struggles on the court—flinging up erratic shots, missing point-blank layups, and providing minimal defensive impact—have been documented game after game. While her confidence and media presence are undeniable, those qualities alone can’t carry her to stardom in a league built on elite athleticism and skill.
Even lesser-known players like Lexie Hull and Kiki Iriafen outpaced her in votes. Iriafen, for instance, is averaging a double-double and shooting efficiently—proof that fans are rewarding all-around contributors, not just popular personalities.
What Comes Next?
Whether Reese can rebound—pun intended—from this blow remains to be seen. Her rebounding stats still indicate she has the grit and work ethic to be a difference-maker. But without refining her offensive game and proving she can impact wins, she risks becoming a cautionary tale in the WNBA’s evolution.
More importantly, the league itself may need to reassess how it selects and promotes its stars. If this vote revealed anything, it’s that fans care less about who’s on magazine covers and more about who delivers when the ball is tipped.
For Reese, this is a crossroads. Will she refine her game to match her hype? Or will she continue to rely on the narrative machine that just got exposed?
One thing is certain: the WNBA’s most powerful judge—its fans—have spoken. And they’re watching more closely than ever.
