WNBA award voters will have a tough decision when selecting the Rookie of the Year between Indiana’s Caitlin Clark and Chicago’s Angel Reese. Both players have showcased exceptional skills throughout the season, setting records and making history. In their recent matchup, Indiana secured a 100-81 victory against Chicago, with Clark’s outstanding performance of 31 points and 12 assists, marking a first in WNBA history.
Clark has been a standout player this season with remarkable averages of 18.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game – a feat never achieved by any rookie or seasoned player in a full WNBA season. She holds the WNBA record for the most 3-pointers made by a rookie, currently at 93. Clark also has 14 games with 20 or more points this season, surpassing all other rookies combined.
Meanwhile, Angel Reese has been dominating the boards, averaging 12.9 rebounds per game, putting her in a position to break the WNBA record for rebounds per contest. Reese has recorded 23 double-doubles this season, surpassing the rookie record previously held by Tina Charles. She also had a streak of 15 consecutive double-doubles earlier in the season, setting a new WNBA record.
However, both players have faced challenges as well. Clark has set a record for turnovers in a season with 174, which could be a point of contention among voters. On the other hand, Reese’s shooting percentage of 38.6% has been a concern, despite her impressive scoring and rebounding numbers.
As the season unfolds, Clark and Reese continue to leave a mark on the league, raising the bar for rookies in the WNBA. Their performances have not only been exceptional but also historic, making the Rookie of the Year decision a challenging yet exciting one for WNBA award voters.
