Despite Caitlin Clark being the overwhelming favorite to win the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award, ESPN has sparked controversy by ranking her behind Angel Reese in their latest rookie rankings.
Clark has been lighting up the league, averaging 17.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game. Her impressive performance includes setting the rookie record for most 3-pointers made in a season. On the other hand, Angel Reese, while strong in her own right, has averaged 13.6 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. However, Reese also holds the unfortunate distinction of having the worst shooting percentage in the entire WNBA within five feet of the basket.
Reese has made her mark this season with a remarkable streak of 15 consecutive double-doubles, an achievement that has certainly caught the attention of analysts and fans alike. The Indiana Fever, Reese’s team, currently boasts a better record than the Chicago Sky, where Clark plays, and is in a strong playoff position.
ESPN’s decision to rank Reese above Clark has been met with backlash, particularly because the network cited Reese’s “narrow edge in PER,” “estimated RAPTOR,” and “individual efficiency ratings” as the justification for their choice. These advanced metrics, which delve into highly analytical territory, seem to favor Reese despite Clark’s more visible impact on the court.
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According to ESPN’s WNBA rookie rankings, “Though Clark is such a heavy favorite for WNBA Rookie of the Year that oddsmakers have taken the award off the board, the metrics continue to give a slight nod to Reese — though it’s getting closer by the day. Reese’s narrow edge in PER comes from box score stat-stuffing like her numerous double-doubles; she has 20, which is tied for the third-most in a WNBA season, just six off of the Connecticut Sun’s Alyssa Thomas’ record from last season.”
This ranking has ignited a firestorm among basketball fans, with many taking to social media to voice their disagreement. One fan commented, “Reese at 1 is very laughable. I’d probably argue she’s not the best rookie on her team. A lot of hate towards her recently has been because outlets are forcing a narrative that she is the best rookie when everyone who watches these games knows she shouldn’t even be in the convo.”
The debate over who is the true top rookie will be put to the test tonight as the Indiana Fever faces off against the Chicago Sky for the fourth time this season.
The Fever have won two of the three previous matchups, adding an extra layer of intensity to what is already a heated rookie rivalry. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Clark or Reese can further solidify their case as the WNBA’s top rookie this season.
