The debate surrounding Caitlin Clark and Diana Taurasi has been one of the defining conversations around the WNBA over the last two seasons.
Taurasi spent 20 years building a résumé that many believed would never be touched. The longtime Phoenix Mercury superstar retired as the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer, won three championships and became one of the most iconic players in basketball history.
Clark, meanwhile, has completely changed the visibility and energy around women’s basketball since arriving to the Indiana Fever in 2024.
Now, ESPN has made its opinion between the two stars very clear.
As part of the league’s 30th anniversary celebration, ESPN released its ranking of the 10 greatest playmakers in WNBA history. Clark landed at No. 4 on the list while Taurasi checked in at No. 7. That alone was enough to grab attention considering Clark has played just 58 career games entering the 2026 season.
But ESPN’s Michael Voepel took things even further while discussing Clark’s future trajectory.
“By the time Clark’s career concludes, it’s hard to see her not being No. 1,” Voepel wrote.
That is massive praise considering the names ahead of Clark include legendary point guards Sue Bird, Ticha Penicheiro and current Las Vegas Aces star Chelsea Gray.
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ESPN Highlighted Exactly What Makes Caitlin Clark Different
Clark’s statistical production already feels difficult to comprehend this early in her career.
According to ESPN, Clark already owns the most 20-point, 10-assist games in WNBA history with 12. She averaged 8.4 assists during her Rookie of the Year campaign in 2024, followed that with 8.8 assists in an injury-shortened 2025 season and currently sits at 9.0 assists per game while averaging 23.8 points this year.
ESPN specifically pointed to Clark’s ability to “stretch defenses to the breaking point” because of her combination of shooting range, transition passing and pick-and-roll creativity.
That offensive versatility is a major reason why so many around the league already believe Clark is on a historic trajectory.
Diana Taurasi’s Legacy Still Remains One of the Greatest in Basketball History
Even with Clark ranking ahead of her, Taurasi’s career remains nearly impossible to replicate.
The Mercury legend retired after the 2024 season with 10,646 career points, six Olympic gold medals and a reputation as one of the fiercest clutch performers the sport has ever seen.
Taurasi also finished fourth all-time in assists, proving she was far more than simply an elite scorer throughout her Hall of Fame career.
Still, ESPN’s rankings made one thing obvious: the network already believes Clark’s all-around playmaking ceiling may eventually surpass everyone who has come before her.
That is an incredible statement about where Clark already stands in the eyes of many around the sport at just 24 years old.
