In the 27 years of the league’s existence, interest in it has never been higher. The rookie class, which is headlined by Indiana Fever guard and 2024 No. 1 overall pick Caitlin Clark, has a major role to play in this season’s uniqueness.
The women’s game has advanced thanks to Clark. She has already had a significant impact on the game of basketball in a short amount of time, and she is only getting started. Clark’s first-year performance has been extraordinary. After a sluggish start to the season, her numbers and influence on the game and her team have been crucial to the turnaround.
Although Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky has risen to the top of the Rookie of the Year rankings, rookie Clark is the league’s star player. Reese has established herself in the professional ranks to such an extent that many people—including ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith—think she should be awarded Rookie of the Year.
Regarding why, given the current situation, Reese should receive the prize instead of Clark, Smith was direct.
“Reese is the only player in WNBA history with three consecutive 20-rebound games. I’ve talked about Caitlin Clark — I love the sizzle, I love the ball-handling, I love the passing ability, I love the shot-making ability. But let’s give credit where credit is due: Angel Reese is showing she’s no joke either. I think she could win Rookie of the Year.”
This season, Reese and Clark have both broken records. Clark became the first rookie in league history to record a triple-double, and she also set a record with 19 assists in a same game. Reese, on the other hand, set two records for the WNBA: she recorded 15 straight double-doubles and three straight games with 20 or more rebounds.
The two had been friends since their college years. In the NCAA tournament, when the stakes were highest, their teams faced off twice while still in college. Both of their teams, Reese’s LSU and Clark’s Iowa, split the two matches.
There is yet more to come in this rivalry, which will only intensify as long as they pursue professional careers. Reese’s Chicago Sky and Clark’s Fever will square off again on Friday, and the outcome of this game might have a significant impact on who wins the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year title.
In 31 games, Clark has averaged 18.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 8.1 assists, and 1.4 steals. In 30 games, Resse’s average is 13.3 points, 12.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.3 steals.
