Caitlin Clark entered her debut WNBA season with sky-high expectations. As the No. 1 overall pick, Clark brought a whirlwind of anticipation, having dazzled the college sports world during her tenure at Iowa. Yet, despite her prodigious talent and widespread acclaim, Clark isn’t the sole contender for the coveted Rookie of the Year award.
Angel Reese has emerged as a formidable challenger, putting up a sensational season that’s reigniting the Larry Bird and Magic Johnson comparisons. The rivalry between Clark and Reese, which began on the college courts, is now boiling over into the WNBA, adding spice to the Rookie of the Year race.
ESPN’s Monica McNutt recently voiced her preference for Reese over Clark for the Rookie of the Year accolade. Here’s a breakdown of why McNutt is backing the Sky’s dynamic forward over the Fever’s sharpshooter.
McNutt’s Case for Angel Reese Over Caitlin Clark
During a Thursday segment, McNutt highlighted Reese’s impact on the Chicago Sky’s playoff aspirations as a significant factor in her Rookie of the Year choice.
“My rookie of the year is going to go based on the standings because I think that is how you have the opportunity to measure impact,” McNutt remarked.
McNutt underscored that Reese has excelled despite not having the same level of support as Clark. The Chicago roster lacks a No. 1 pick or a 2024 All-Star, in contrast to the Fever, who boast two No. 1 overall picks in Clark and Aliyah Boston, plus another All-Star, Kelsey Mitchell.
Despite these disparities, Chicago is currently in the playoff picture, whereas Indiana is not. If the season ended today, the Sky would secure the eighth seed with a 7-11 record, while the Fever would miss out, holding an 8-13 record. The two teams are separated by a mere half-game.
McNutt also praised Reese’s impressive streak of double-doubles, approaching the all-time WNBA record. Reese has the chance to tie Candace Parker’s record of 12 consecutive double-doubles in the Sky’s upcoming game against Seattle on Friday.
Although McNutt leans toward Reese at this juncture of the season, she acknowledges the outstanding performances of both rookies.
“I have to say, both of them — I have so much respect,” McNutt said. “The eyeballs are as big as they’ve ever been, and they are showing up and entertaining. Both have exceeded my expectations in their rookie season.”
Caitlin Clark vs. Angel Reese: A Statistical Showdown
| Stat | Caitlin Clark (2023-24) | Angel Reese (2023-24) |
|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game (PPG) | 16.0 | 13.2 |
| Rebounds Per Game (RPG) | 5.7 | 11.8 |
| Assists Per Game (APG) | 7.1 | 1.9 |
| Steals Per Game (SPG) | 1.3 | 1.4 |
| Blocks Per Game (BPG) | 0.8 | 0.2 |
| Turnovers Per Game (TOV) | 5.6 | 1.8 |
| Field Goal Percentage (FG%) | 39.1% | 39.7% |
| Three-Point Percentage (3PT%) | 33.7% | 0% (0/4) |
| Free Throw Percentage (FT%) | 88.5% | 74.2% |
| Minutes Per Game (MPG) | 34.4 | 31.1 |
| Games Played | 21 | 18 |
| Head-to-Head Record | 2-1 | 1-2 |
The Rookie of the Year race between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese promises to be a thrilling narrative to follow as the WNBA season progresses. Both players are not just meeting but surpassing expectations, setting the stage for an electrifying finish.