Caitlin Clark, not Angel Reese, should be the WNBA Rookie of the Year according to women’s basketball legend Sue Bird.
Bird expressed her opinion during a panel discussion with her girlfriend, Megan Rapinoe, when asked about the highly contested race between Clark and Reese. While Bird praised both players for their outstanding rookie seasons, she emphasized that, based on her own assessment, Clark stands out as the top candidate.
“I don’t do the stat comparison,” Bird stated. “It can help when things are close… I just do the eye test, and to me, [Caitlin Clark] is Rookie of the Year.”
However, Bird was careful not to diminish Reese’s impressive rookie season.
“They can both be good. They can both be having great years,” Bird added.
RELATED: ESPN SportsCenter Anchor Elle Duncan Apologizes to Sheryl Swoopes Amid Caitlin Clark Controversy
Clark started the season as the overwhelming favorite for the award, but Reese’s historic streak of double-doubles soon made her a strong contender, even leading the odds at one point. WNBA legend and South Carolina women’s coach Dawn Staley also supported Reese for the award.
“So you gonna try to put me in a controversy, right,” Staley jokingly said when asked about the two. “They both are having great years. Don’t get me wrong. If I had to pick a rookie of the year at this time, it’s Angel. Not a doubt.
“What she’s been able to do with the double-doubles. But listen, the season is halfway through and Caitlin is coming … I’ll say this, whatever team makes the playoffs, that’s our rookie of the year.”
As the season progressed, Reese’s streak eventually ended, and Clark began to shine, propelling the Indiana Fever into a playoff spot. Clark is now once again the heavy favorite to win the award, according to oddsmakers. Despite this, as Bird noted, both players are having historically significant rookie campaigns.
Clark’s and Reese’s performances have captivated the basketball world, making this year’s Rookie of the Year race one of the most exciting and closely watched in recent memory.
