Caitlin Clark earns All-Star vote endorsement from Fever despite missing time

The Fever have struggled without their star guard after yet again dropping below .500 on the season. Despite missing over half of the Fever's games this season, the team announced that Caitlin Clark's name will still be on the ballot for All-Star voting.

She was an easy vote in her rookie season after putting up multiple record breaking numbers. However, this season the All-Star has been plagued by injury causing her to miss significant time.

Clark was joined by Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell - both two-time All-Stars, on the list of Fever players seeking selections. The team posted on X just hours before their game against Atlanta Tuesday night that voting officially opens June 12 and concludes on June 28.

The Fever have not given their fans too much to be excited about thus far despite all of their impressive off-season additions - both on the roster and coaching staff. They currently sit with a 4-5 record after dropping their most embarrassing loss in the Caitlin Clark-era.

What's the criteria for an eligible All-Star selection?

Many are likely scratching their heads questioning how Clark can be eligible for an All-Star honor despite missing several games. In fact, the WNBA actually has no specific rules that state a player is ineligible for an All-Star nomination. Any player on a roster is eligible for the nomination process. But the nomination is not just based solely on a player's on-court performance.

Selection is based on a combination of performance, popularity in the eyes of fans, players and media and off-court contributions. Clark checks all of these boxes making her a heavy favorite for a second All-Star selection.

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Despite missing time this season, she is an impactful player meaning - she elevates the overall performance of her team. Clark is easily one of the most popular athletes in the world, and not just limited to women's basketball. Finally, she is one of the best when it comes to off-court community work.

She even established The Caitlin Clark Foundation, that centers around bettering the lives of youth through athletics and education. Her interaction with fans is second to none - she is often seen making time for her fans before and after each game.

Ultimately, the selection process involves multiple voting systems. Fans make up 50% of the overall vote that sends a player to the All-Star game while players around the league along with the media each make up 25% of the final tally.

Each player is ranked in their respective position groups where the top scorers in votes are named starters with fan votes playing as the tie-breakers. Reserved players are selected by WNBA coaches exclusively.

The final voting count and official rosters will be announced on Tuesday July 8 at 7 p.m. EST and will be broadcasted on ESPN. Clark hopes to partake in this year's All-Star game, which happens to be played on home court at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Saturday July 19.