Both Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark have had extraordinary rookie seasons in the WNBA, quickly establishing themselves as future stars of the league. Both have earned their first All-Star selections, shattered records, and brought a new level of excitement to the sport. Their impact on the game has been undeniable, and they are already being hailed as two of the most influential athletes in WNBA history.
Despite the remarkable seasons both players have had, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith has made it clear that, in his opinion, the race for Rookie of the Year is already decided. On a recent episode of First Take, Smith confidently declared, “There is no debate. I understand Angel Reese has been doing her thing with the double-doubles—like, 24 straight double-doubles and all that. Major props to her, and she deserves it; she’s gonna be number 2. But Caitlin Clark is gonna win Rookie of the Year. Caitlin Clark is in the conversation—she ain’t gonna win it because A’ja Wilson is there. But Caitlin Clark is in the conversation for league MVP. I don’t know if you already know that, but she’s in the conversation—league MVP as a rookie.”
Smith’s assertion highlights just how impressive Clark’s rookie campaign has been, especially since the Olympic break. Clark has been playing at an elite level with the Indiana Fever, leading the team on a four-game winning streak and lifting them to a 17-16 record—their first winning record since 2016. This resurgence has the Fever on the brink of ending a seven-year playoff drought, largely thanks to Clark’s near-perfect play.
Caitlin Clark’s statistics speak for themselves: she leads all rookies in points, assists, steals, field goals made, three-pointers made, and free throw percentage. She is averaging an impressive 18.7 points, 8.4 assists, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game. These numbers not only make her a strong candidate for Rookie of the Year but also put her in the conversation for league MVP—a rare feat for a rookie.
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On the other hand, Angel Reese has also had an outstanding season, particularly with her streak of 24 consecutive double-doubles. However, her team, the Chicago Sky, has struggled significantly in recent weeks, losing six games in a row and dropping to a disappointing 11-21 record. Their recent slide was punctuated by a 19-point loss to Clark’s Fever, where Clark led the way with a 31-point performance.
As the WNBA season winds down, Clark has emerged as the overwhelming favorite to win Rookie of the Year. Her impact on the court, combined with the Fever’s resurgence, has made her rookie campaign one of the most memorable in recent history.
Stephen A. Smith’s endorsement only solidifies what many fans and analysts are already thinking: Caitlin Clark is not just the best rookie of the year—she’s one of the best players in the league, period.
