Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese Are the Stars the WNBA Needs

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are both declaring for the WNBA draft this year, and the WNBA needs them. Both could bring much needed attention, and ratings, to the WNBA. In fact, I can't imagine a scenario where WNBA ratings don't go up next season with these two superstars in the fold.

Reese broke the news of going to the WNBA to Vogue. In an exclusive interview, she told the publication that she's done everything she wanted to in college, including winning a national championship, getting the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year and being an All-American. "My ultimate goal is to be a pro—and to be one of the greatest basketball players to play, ever," she said. "I feel like I'm ready."

Meanwhile, Clark took to social media to break the news, writing, "While this season is far from over and we have a lot more goals to achieve, it will be my last one at Iowa. I am excited to be entering the 2024 WNBA Draft."

Both Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are among the most high-profile college female basketball players. They're also among the top-paid college athletes in sports. According to Business Insider, Reese has a NIL Valuation of $1.8 million. For Clark, her NIL Valuation is $3.1 million. They also both have the kind of star power that could draw interest and viewers to the WNBA. If both can bring their college fan base to the WNBA, it could be a game-changer, and that's something the WNBA needs.

Just look at the recent Iowa vs. LSU March Madness game that saw both Clark and Reese on the court. The game aired on ESPN, and the network reports that it drew a record-breaking 16.1 million viewers. They add that the matchup garnered the second-highest audience for any basketball game on the network since 2012. The next most-watched game was Game 7 of the 2018 Eastern Conference finals between LeBron James' Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics.

Now, what kind of salaries will these ladies earn in the WNBA? It won't be as much as NBA players, of course. The top salaries for WNBA players are significantly less than the minimum salary for NBA players, excluding those on two-way contracts, which is around $1,119,563, according to SportsBusinessClassroom.com. The top pick in the WNBA, which will likely be Clark, usually makes around $76,000 in base salary. But, both Clark and Reese could benefit greatly from endorsements and sponsorships.

I think it's great that the stars that the WNBA needs are finally here. Both Clark and Reese are role models for women who are pursuing their dreams and working hard for it. If their addition to the WNBA does cause popularity to increase, maybe the WNBA salaries will increase, too. The WNBA needs this exposure if they're going to attract the kind of numbers that the NBA does.

This weekend the NBA will take over Indianapolis for All-Star weekend. On Saturday night, the Slam Dunk contest will serve as the grand finale of the day two events at Lucas Oil Stadium. That got us thinking about NBA stars we'd love to see in Slam Dunk contest.

Before we crack into the list, let's take a look at the modern landscape of the NBA dunk contest. The biggest complaint about the event is that the biggest names in basketball rarely participate. Why is that? Well, last year at this time, Front Office Sports dove into this exact subject. "The last time a player from that season’s All-Star Game actually participated in the Dunk Contest was in 2017, when the Los Angeles Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan competed," they said.

Front Office Sports went on to list a lack of creative options, scoring, and top players not participating in the dunk contest as reasons why the competition had declined. "I think they’re maybe afraid to lose,” NBA Hall of Famer, and slam dunk legend, Dominique Wilkins said via Front Office Sports. Of course, potential injury could also be considered.

Though there has been a lack of star power in the Slam Dunk contest, there have been a few shining moments as of late. Last season, there was much confusion as to why the NBA was allowing a G League (minor league) player to participate in Mac McClung. Now with the Orlando Magic franchise, McClung was called up by his then-team, the 76ers, a few days before the contest. He would go on to win and thrilling fashion. Furthermore, McClung is just six-foot-two.

The NBA Slam Dunk contest will often be associated with the likes of Wilkins and Michael Jordan. In the late '80s, these legends made our jaws drop dunking the ball during all-star weekend. Sure, we have had Vince Carter and the late great Kobe Bryant go in it and win it. However, you can't help but think about what might have been, if these stars had won. Some of them came close, while others opted out.

Nonetheless, we do have some surprising and well-received news when it comes to the 2024 contest. Jaylen Brown, one of the biggest stars in the game, is participating. He will compete against last year's winner in McClung. In addition, Jacob Toppin from the Knicks and Jamie Jaquez. Jr of the Heat are in. Perhaps with Brown participating, we will begin to see the trend of more all-stars opting into this fan-favorite event in the future.

Here are five players we'd love to see do their thing in the NBA Slam Dunk contest.

Now in his fourth season, you can't help but feel like we've been Zion-deprived. Injuries doomed Williamson's first three years. In fact, he's only played in 114 games. However, as we've seen so far this year, Williamson is explosive. An electrifying dunk contest performance can allow us to quickly forget about the start of his NBA career.

Speaking of high-flying ballers, Morant has a burst to his game that not many others (if any) have. Similar to Zion Williamson, the past year or two has been marred by outside distractions that have taken away from Morant's game. Here's to hoping his hoop game is back in focus. He can show us that been taking the next dunk contest by storm.

Edwards has quickly established himself as one of the best young players in the game. He's taking the Minnesota Timberwolves to levels that they have not been to since Kevin Garnett was in the building. It would be a great statement to enter the dunk contest at this stage of his career. To some degree, it would be similar timing to when Jordan and Wilkinson participated and won.

Now, this might be a stretch only because Brunson is probably more suited for the three-point or skills contest. The Knicks guard is now an all-star and one of the most dynamic players in the game this season. In addition, he's loved by the fans and the roaring support from the crowd always makes the dunk contest that much more of an entertaining experience. Finally, the Knicks could really use the spotlight.

King James may arguably be past the prime of his career when this opportunity would make sense. For years, fans wanted him in, and although it came close, James never jumped in. He certainly doesn't need to do it. It just feels like the one thing he has not accomplished in the league. Kobe Bryant competed in the dunk contest in 1997. And he won.