WNBA: Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese each worthy of Rookie of the Yr

The 2024 Rookie of the Yr Award goes to be settled between the Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark and the Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese. The most well liked rivalry within the league is happening on particular person and staff stage, which has been a advertising miracle. In a few years, this could possibly be the duel to observe for the MVP. Earlier than that occurs, let’s give attention to the race for the Rookie of the Yr award. And what a race it’s been to this point…

Caitlin Clark (Indiana Fever)

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Caitlin Clark leads all rookies with 16.7 factors and seven.8 assists per recreation, whereas including 5.9 rebounds and 1.5 steals. She’s been taking part in underneath monumental stress as probably the most hyped prospects to enter the WNBA. And he or she’s principally delivered on her promise. She’s not at her Iowa stage—no less than not but—however she already achieved some groundbreaking milestones, like being the quickest participant in WNBA historical past to tally 300 factors, 100 rebounds and 100 assists, and the primary rookie to report a triple-double. The draw back of her rookie yr has been turnovers; she’s the league chief with 5.5 per recreation. If she wins ROY, some folks will complain it’s due to her reputation, though it’ll be ignoring the truth that she’s fashionable exactly as a result of she’s so good.

Angel Reese (Chicago Sky)

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Angel Reese, the girl Shaquille O’Neal referred to as the best LSU basketball participant ever, no matter gender, is the steal of the draft. You is perhaps inclined to provide that distinction to Kate Martin, the No. 18 overal decide, who’s slot in so properly with the Las Vegas Aces, however Reese falling all the best way to No. 7, whereas being significantly thought-about for Rookie of the Yr is even crazier than Martin’s play in Las Vegas. Would issues work out the identical method for Reese on the Los Angeles Sparks, the Dallas Wings or the Washington Mystics? Or is she taking part in with a chip on her shoulder as a result of 5 groups handed on her, giving her that further edge that she used to her benefit at LSU? We’ll by no means know. However, what we do know is on the Chicago Sky she’s averaging 13.8 factors, 11.8 rebounds and 1.6 steals per recreation. At the moment, she’s one of the best rebounder within the league. If she continues to seize 11.82 boards in every contest for the rest of the season, she’s going to find yourself with the third-highest single-season rebounding common in league historical past, solely behind Sylvia Fowles (11.88 in 2018) and Jonquel Jones (11.85 in 2017). By itself, that’s particular. ROY worthy? Undoubtedly.

One of the best of the remaining

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Until one thing particular occurs, the award will likely be determined between the above two gamers. That could be a testomony to the skills of Clark and Reese, reasonably than a repudiation of this draft class’ standing. The No. 4 general decide, Rickea Jackson, is a starter on the Sparks and is third amongst rookies in factors per recreation with 10.7. Kamilla Cardoso, Reese’s teammate and the No. 3 general decide, is averaging 8.3 factors, 7.9 rebounds and 1.2 blocks, getting back from an damage that saved her out of the primary seven video games of the season. Aaliyah Edwards (No. 6 general) and Julia Vanloo (undrafted and WNBA’s oldest rookie at 31 years outdated) have been strong for the Mystics, with Edwards averaging 8.8 factors and 6.0 rebounds and the Belgian level guard scoring 8.1 factors and dispensing 5.0 assists per recreation. This draft class is sweet. It’s simply that Clark and Reese overshadow all the opposite gamers with their affect, maturity and abilities.