Hold on to your hats, sports fans! The WNBA rookie race is heating up, and Dan Patrick has just thrown gasoline on the fire with his latest hot take. Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever’s sharp-shooting sensation, has gone from fumbling newbie to fierce competitor, dragging her team from a dismal 1-9 start to a respectable 11-14 record. All it took was dismantling the Minnesota Lynx last Sunday—no big deal, right?
The debate over Rookie of the Year has been a nail-biter, with Clark and Angel Reese locked in a battle more intense than a last-second buzzer-beater. But according to the ever-entertaining Dan Patrick, Clark is the clear winner. On his show, Patrick didn’t just praise her sniper-like shooting skills; he also tipped his hat to her precision passing—something he attributes to her soccer roots. Because, you know, kicking a ball around somehow makes you a basketball wizard. Who knew?
When discussing Dawn Staley’s comments about Reese’s claim to the ROTY crown, Patrick didn’t just shoot from the hip; he went full LeBron James analogy on us. “Should LeBron not have won Rookie of the Year just because he was expected to win it?” he mused. “We’re concocting arguments out of thin air here. Sure, Angel Reese had a great season—double-doubles galore! But come on, people, Caitlin Clark is the one with a bull’s-eye on her back every game.”
Patrick’s logic? Simple. If you’re game-planning against the Chicago Sky, you don’t lose sleep over stopping Reese. But Clark? She’s the one that keeps coaches up at night. “Caitlin Clark is the Rookie of the Year. Angel Reese is fantastic, but she’s not the rookie of the year,” Patrick concluded, leaving no room for doubt.
Caitlin Clark Snags ESPY for Best Record-Breaking Performance
As if the ROTY debate wasn’t juicy enough, Clark has already started collecting hardware. At this year’s ESPYs, she nabbed the award for Best Record-Breaking Performance, becoming the all-time scoring leader in NCAA Division I. Talk about a trophy hoarder!
Unable to attend because she’s too busy conquering Indianapolis, Clark sent her thanks via a video message. “Thank you for this recognition. I’m a little bit busy in Indianapolis,” she quipped, downplaying her achievement like it’s no biggie.
“This award means a lot to me and my University of Iowa teammates and coaches. It’s special for all of us and a testament to an incredible year in women’s athletics. Thank you, ESPN,” she added, like the humble superstar she is.
Clark’s season might have started rocky, but like any good underdog story, she’s found her groove. With the postseason in sight, she’s ready to turn doubters into believers. So, stay tuned, folks—this rookie race is far from over, and Caitlin Clark isn’t just aiming for the bull’s-eye; she’s redefining it.
