Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark is predictably very popular among WNBA GMs.
Clark is widely considered a generational talent. Her meteoric rise through college and into her sophomore year in the WNBA has been hard to ignore. The former Iowa product broke numerous records upon entering the league, earned multiple honors and changed the current fabric of the Fever.
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So, in a 2025 survey among league GMs, it comes as no surprise that Clark was tapped as the top player many would choose to build a franchise around if they could sign any player. Still, Clark wasn’t the only player to receive some noteworthy honors. Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier is squarely in the conversation for several accolades, including 2025 WNBA MVP.
These are the five takeaways from the 2025 WNBA GMs Survey:
2025 WNBA GMs Survey results
1. The Fever’s Caitlin Clark is top choice for player to build a WNBA team around
COLLEGE PARK, GEORGIA – MAY 10: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever is introduced prior to the preseason game against the Atlanta Dream at Gateway Center Arena on May 10, 2025 in College Park, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
If league GMs could sign anyone to build a team around, the majority would choose Caitlin Clark. She received 50 percent of the votes for such an honor. Clark was also voted the WNBA’s best shooting guard, receiving 33 percent of votes. That was higher than the New York Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu and the Minnesota Lynx’s Kayla McBride, who both earned 25 percent of the votes.
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Clark was even in elite company for acknowledgement as the WNBA’s best point guard. She shared the voting percentage (50 percent) with Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray.
2. The Indiana Fever lead the list of teams with best WNBA offseasons
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MAY 3: DeWanna Bonner #25 of the Indiana Fever dribbles past Emily Engstler #21 of the Washington Mystics during the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 3, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)
It’s not a secret that the Indiana Fever are now one of the deepest teams in the league after their offseason moves. The Fever brought in Dewanna Bonner, Natasha Howard, Sophie Cunningham and Las Vegas Aces veteran Sydney Colson. Bonner’s signing with Indiana earned top votes (33 percent) as the most surprising offseason acquisition.
The Fever received 75 percent of the vote as the team that will be the most fun to watch in 2025. That notion was further supported by Indiana securing 64 percent of the votes for the team that made the best overall moves in the offseason. As much as 42 percent of WNBA GMs also believe that the Fever will be the most improved team in 2025, and new head coach Stephanie White (50 percent of votes) will have the biggest impact.
3. Napheesa Collier and the Lynx are valued by the WNBA
May 6, 2025; Chicago, IL, USA; Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) during the first half of a WNBA pre-season game at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Minnesota Lynx Forward Napheesa Collier was selected as the player most likely to win MVP this season. Collier received 67 percent of the votes over reigning MVP A’ja Wilson, who received 25 percent of votes. She was also named the league’s most versatile player with 42 percent of the votes and was tapped as the best defender (33 percent). Collier shared the spotlight for the WNBA’s best leader (42 percent) and best forward (33 percent) with Wilson.
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Minnesota is the clear favorite among GMs for the team that will win a WNBA championship in 2025. The Lynx received a staggering 60 percent of the votes while the current champions, the New York Liberty, received 20 percent of the votes, followed by the Las Vegas Aces and Indiana Fever with 10 percent each.
4. The Aces’ A’ja Wilson forces WNBA GMs to build creative game plans
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA – MAY 02: A’ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces reacts during the second quarter quarter against the Dallas Wings during the preseason game at Purcell Pavilion on May 02, 2025 in South Bend, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson has been largely regarded as one of the league’s toughest defensive assignments, and GMs seemingly believe that as well. Wilson earned the most votes (33 percent) as the player who forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments. To that notion, she was also noted as the WNBA’s best interior defender (67 percent) and the best center (50 percent).
5. The Aces’ Chelsea Gray is well-respected by WNBA GMs
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA – MAY 02: Chelsea Gray #12 of the Las Vegas Aces brings the ball up the court wadw during the preseason game at Purcell Pavilion on May 02, 2025 in South Bend, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Despite having an underwhelming season in 2024, Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray didn’t lose any ground with WNBA GMs. Gray earned high praise from league GMs as the player with the highest basketball IQ and who would make the best coach in the future, collecting 36 percent of the votes in both categories. She was also voted as the player GMs would trust most to take a game-winning shot (25 percent), surpassing Sabrina Ionescu, Napheesa Collier, and even teammate A’ja Wilson.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Caitlin Clark gets WNBA GM survey awards in 2025
