Indiana Fever rookie sensation Caitlin Clark narrowly missed making the cut for the USA Women’s Basketball Team at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. But don’t fret for her just yet—she’s got her eyes on another shiny prize: the WNBA’s Rookie of the Year award.
However, standing in her way is Chicago Sky’s dynamic forward Angel Reese, whose out-of-this-world season has turned this award race into a fierce two-woman showdown.
When is WNBA Rookie of the Year Announced?
The WNBA hasn’t spilled the beans on when they will name this year’s Rookie of the Year. Last year, the announcement dropped in early October, and this year’s regular season wraps up on September 19, with the WNBA Finals potentially stretching to October 20. Based on last year’s timeline, we might be waiting until late August for the official date reveal.
Caitlin Clark: The Favorite
According to For the Win, Caitlin Clark is the heavy favorite to nab the WNBA Rookie of the Year award, and her stats are the mic drop here. ESPN stats show Clark averaging a cool 16.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 7.8 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game as the Fever’s leading guard. She’s even flirting with a triple-double average.
Clark made history as the first rookie in the WNBA to notch a triple-double. Add to that her two ESPY awards this year for being the NACAA’s all-time scoring leader and the best college athlete. With nearly two dozen accolades from her superstar college career at the University of Iowa, Clark was the no-brainer first overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft.
Angel Reese: The Contender
Angel Reese isn’t just sitting pretty either. Drafted 7th overall by the Chicago Sky, Reese is making a serious run for the Rookie of the Year title. She was the Most Outstanding Player of the 2023 Women’s National Tournament and has set records with her double-double streak in the pros.
Reese’s impressive resume includes unanimous First Team All-American honors (2023), AP and USBWA All-American (2023), and a host of other accolades. BET even named her Sportswoman of The Year. Talk about a power move!
The Big Question: Who Will Win?
Three-time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA Finals finalist Dawn Staley is rooting for Reese to win the Rookie of the Year award. ESPN’s Rookie Racker has Clark in the lead, while The Athletic’s panel remains split on this nail-biter of a race. Betting giants BET MGM and DraftKings have Clark as the odds-on favorite, but many argue Reese would clinch the title if the season ended today.
So, who will emerge victorious in this clash of the titans? With both Clark and Reese delivering legendary performances, the WNBA Rookie of the Year award is set to be one of the most thrilling reveals of the season. Grab your popcorn, folks—this is going to be epic!
