The WNBA’s Rookie of the Year Award is on fire this season, with Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever and Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky going head-to-head like it’s the Wild West. Fans are as divided as a pizza at a college dorm party, and now, the legendary Sue Bird has thrown her two cents into the ring—or should we say, onto the court?
Bird, who is basically the WNBA’s Gandalf with her four championships (2004, 2010, 2018, and 2020), didn’t shy away from this hot topic. The woman has been balling since before some of these rookies were in kindergarten, so when she speaks, we listen.
In a chat with soccer superstar Megan Rapinoe, Bird said, “I don’t do the stat comparison. It can help when things are close… I just do the eye test, and to me, [Caitlin Clark] is Rookie of the Year. They can both be good. They can both be having great years.” That’s right, folks. She’s going with the good ol’ eye test—because who needs numbers when you’ve got decades of experience and a golden eye?
Now, let’s break down the stats (because we kind of have to, even if Sue doesn’t). Angel Reese, drafted seventh overall from LSU by the Sky, is averaging 13.5 points per game, with 12 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.5 steals. Meanwhile, Clark, the first pick from Iowa, is dropping 17.1 points per game, snagging 5.8 rebounds, and dishing out 8.2 assists like they’re candy at a parade.
These two have been rivals since their NCAA days, where Reese bested Clark in the national championship, only for Clark to get sweet revenge in the quarterfinals the following year. It’s like a basketball soap opera, and we are living for the drama.
Next up, Reese and her Chicago Sky are set to face the Phoenix Mercury at the Wintrust Arena on Thursday, August 15, at 20:00 ET/17:00 PT. Grab your popcorn and watch it on Amazon Prime Video. Meanwhile, Clark and her Indiana Fever will take on the same Mercury squad at Gainbridge FieldHouse on Friday, August 16, at 19:30 ET/16:30 PT, broadcasted on ION.
So, who’s it going to be? Will it be Reese with her rebounding prowess and defensive tenacity, or Clark with her scoring flare and playmaking wizardry? One thing’s for sure: this rookie showdown is the best thing since sliced bread (or at least since Sue Bird started playing).
Stay tuned, sports fans. The WNBA rookie war is far from over, and it’s the kind of drama we didn’t know we needed.