Who ya got?
The WNBA Rookie of the Year race has reached unprecedented levels of excitement and media attention, largely due to the intense competition between Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky and Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever.
Both players have brought a dynamic presence to the league, shining a spotlight on the WNBA in ways previously unseen.
Caitlin Clark entered the league as the first overall pick following a stellar career at Iowa, immediately establishing herself as a frontrunner for the Rookie of the Year title.
Angel Reese, her collegiate rival from LSU, also entered the league with high expectations. Initially, Clark was the favorite to win the award, but perceptions have begun to shift recently, particularly after a key game over the weekend.
In their third head-to-head matchup this WNBA season, which took place on Sunday, Reese and the Chicago Sky edged out Clark’s Fever in a nail-biting 88-87 victory.
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While Clark put up impressive numbers with 17 points and a team-record 13 assists, it was Reese who stole the show. She dominated with 25 points and 16 rebounds, fueling a significant fourth-quarter rally that highlighted her impact on the game.
This performance has led some, including CBS Sports, to rank Reese as the top rookie over Clark.
Reese’s prowess on the boards has been notable, as she ranks second in the league with an average of 11.1 rebounds per game. Her recent career-high 25 points combined with her rebounding efforts brought her to the brink of tying Candace Parker’s record for consecutive double-doubles set back in 2015.
Reese has not only shown improvement in her rebounding but also in her scoring efficiency. Earlier this month, advice from veteran center Tina Charles to take her time has evidently paid off, as Reese has improved her field goal percentage significantly, shooting at least 50% in four of her last six games.
Clark, on the other hand, continues to excel in her scoring and playmaking. Averaging 16.3 points and 6.6 assists per game, she remains a formidable candidate for the Rookie of the Year. Her remarkable ability to sink three-pointers is on full display, with her total just shy of the league leaders.
Despite Reese’s surge, sportsbooks still heavily favor Clark to win the Rookie of the Year, with odds around -600 for Clark and +450 for Reese. This discrepancy suggests that Clark’s popularity and consistent performance might still sway the final decision, irrespective of Reese’s recent standout performances.
As the season progresses, the Rookie of the Year race between these two talented players promises to keep fans engaged and entertained, making it one of the most closely watched narratives in the WNBA.
