ESPN has released its updated WNBA rookie rankings, placing Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese at the top of the list. Reese holds the No. 1 spot, while Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark comes in at No. 2.
Trailing Reese and Clark are Washington Mystics forward Aaliyah Edwards and Sky center Kamilla Cardoso, who have consistently been among the top rookies throughout the season.
ESPN’s Neil Paine explained the criteria used for the rookie rankings, which included win shares, player efficiency, individual production, and estimated wins added.
Reese stands out as the only rookie averaging a double-double, with 14 points and a league-leading 11.9 rebounds per game. She has also set a record for the most consecutive double-doubles in a WNBA season, currently at 14 and counting.
Despite Reese’s impressive performance, ESPN’s rankings have sparked debate among fans. Many argue that Clark, who leads all rookies in points and assists, deserves the top spot due to her significant impact on the WNBA’s growing popularity.
In the comments section of ESPN’s post, one fan encouraged users to like their reply if they believed Clark should be ranked No. 1 over Reese. The comment, “CC ROOKIE OF THE YEAR BUTTON,” garnered nearly 3,000 likes within an hour of the post going live.
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Clark’s standout statistics include averaging 16.7 points and 7.6 assists per game, remarkable figures for a rookie on a team that finished 13-27 last season. Fans highlight her recent performances, such as a 29-point, 13-assist game, followed by a triple-double against the league’s top team, as evidence of her superior contributions.
One fan commented, “Caitlyn just had a 29 point 13 assist game yesterday. And the game before a triple double to beat the best team in the league. Nothing against Reese, yes she is the 2nd best rookie. But Clark took the worst team from last year into playoff contention. The Chicago Sky were already a decent team.”
Another user added, “Everyone knows CC is better lol.”
To determine their final rankings, ESPN utilized three different metrics: Basketball-Reference’s Win Shares, Estimated Wins Added from Player Efficiency Rating (PER), and wins generated via Estimated RAPTOR.
“How is CC not 1st,” one user questioned.
“I mean CC beats her in every statistical category except rebounding your own missed layups. Seems legit,” another commented.
Currently, Reese’s Chicago Sky sits at No. 3 in the Eastern Conference standings with a 9-12 record, while Clark and the Indiana Fever are just behind at No. 4 with a 9-14 record. As the season progresses, the debate over who truly deserves the top spot among WNBA rookies is likely to continue.
