The 2024 season has been pivotal for the WNBA, as there seems to be more eyes attuned to the product than ever. Now, part of the increased attention the WNBA has been drawing is due to Caitlin Clark, the transcendent talent who makes many tune into their televisions just so they could witness her game-changing range from beyond the arc. For Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, Clark’s magnetism is nothing but a positive for the WNBA, especially when it will draw eyes to who he believes will be hailed as the greatest women’s basketball player ever.

Speaking on The Draymond Green Show, the Warriors forward showered Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson with praise, with Green even going as far as to say that Wilson is as marketable as Clark is.

“I think A’ja Wilson is as marketable as anybody in the WNBA, but you have to figure out how to market the product,” Green said, via Julia Stumbaugh of Bleacher Report. “I’m not saying Caitlin Clark is the best thing since sliced bread, quite frankly. If you want my opinion, that’s A’ja Wilson. If you want my honest opinion, best thing since sliced bread in the WNBA, to me, is A’ja Wilson.”

The Warriors forward has a deeper appreciation in his heart for A’ja Wilson given how well she plays on both ends of the floor. Not only is she averaging nearly 27 points a night, she is also the best defensive player in the association. Moreover, Draymond Green also made note of how the Aces star can be a role model for many to emulate.

“A’ja Wilson is great. … A’ja Wilson to me is the American dream. Come from a two-parent household, grew, got better, young Black girl, had everything against her, beat the odds to become what soon will be known as the greatest player to ever grace the WNBA. That’s quite honestly my opinion,” Green added.

The Warriors forward says no to mutual exclusivity

There is currently a tense discourse surrounding the state of the WNBA. Some are way in on the Caitlin Clark hype, saying that without her, the WNBA wouldn’t be able to draw as much attention. Meanwhile, others aren’t big fans of Clark. Some are even saying that it’s not just one woman who’s responsible for changing the game.

But amid all that hullabaloo, Draymond Green made sure not to disregard the impact Caitlin Clark is having on the sport. For the Warriors forward, it’s not a “one or the other” type deal.

“I’m not going to sit up here and act like Caitlin Clark ain’t done nothing for the WNBA. That’s bulls–t. Yes she has. She’s going to continue to. No, I’m not of the assumption it’s only her,” Green said.

There is no denying that Clark is a magnet for views; the attendance numbers during her games say it all. But the Indiana Fever guard should not be the be-all, end-all of the WNBA’s marketing strategy. Clark is drawing eyes to the product at an unprecedented level, and it’s up to the WNBA to make the most out of the doors Clark is leading the way in opening.

“I think y’all got a gold mine in the WNBA sitting right there, marketable as anybody in A’Ja Wilson and haven’t figured out how to make it go,” Green added. “Ain’t A’Ja fault, by the way. Ain’t A’Ja fault. A’Ja got a lot about her that is as marketable as can be. And by the way, soon to be the best WNBA player to ever play.”

Everyone should recognize that someone else’s success should not mean another one’s downfall. Caitlin Clark’s success should be able to lift up her peers alongside her, which should mean plenty of recognition to come for the Aces star.

A’ja Wilson is that good

Thus far in 2024, A’ja Wilson has been putting up the best counting stats of her career; she was already playing at such a high level, but she’s showing that there is a higher level for her to reach. At the time of writing, the Aces star is averaging 26.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.8 blocks in 32.8 minutes of action per night.

She is currently averaging career-highs in points, rebounds, and blocks, appearing to be well on her way to another serious push for an MVP and DPOY award win. The only drawback of her season thus far is her drop-off in scoring efficiency. Her field goal percentage is currently down by around 7.3 percentage points from last season, and her true shooting has fallen way down to .544 from .627 last season.

Nonetheless, her two-way prowess still has her standing tall among her peers as the Aces seek to win their third consecutive WNBA championship.