The 2024 WNBA season was a spectacle for basketball fans worldwide, packed with legendary performances and record-breaking moments. At the center of it all was Caitlin Clark, a rookie phenom who rewrote the WNBA’s assist record book while dazzling with her overall game. But even with all her accolades, the burning question on everyone’s mind is: will Caitlin Clark be the unanimous Rookie of the Year? Or could Angel Reese’s surprise MVP vote play spoiler?
As we dive deeper, we’ll explore the impact of these two rising stars, Clark and Reese, and how one MVP vote might influence the outcome. Plus, we’ve got some fun, sarcasm, and a bit of tongue-in-cheek humor to keep you entertained while dissecting one of the hottest debates in WNBA circles.
Caitlin Clark: A Record-Breaking Rookie Season
Let’s get one thing straight—Caitlin Clark’s rookie season was nothing short of legendary. She not only broke the WNBA’s single-season assists record but was also a scoring dynamo for the Indiana Fever. Her court vision, precision passing, and ability to score from anywhere make her one of the most dynamic players to ever debut in the league.
Clark’s numbers speak for themselves:
| Stat | Caitlin Clark |
|---|---|
| Points per game | 19.2 |
| Assists per game | 8.4 (WNBA Record) |
| Rebounds per game | 5.7 |
| Steals per game | 1.3 |
| 3-Point Percentage | 34.4% |
| Free Throw Percentage | 90.6% |
These stats, especially the assists record, are historic. Clark quickly became a fan favorite, and her name buzzed around the WNBA MVP discussions, even though she’s a rookie. But should that guarantee her a unanimous Rookie of the Year selection? Not so fast, folks—Angel Reese might have a say in that!
Angel Reese: The Dominant Rebounder and Record-Setter
If Caitlin Clark is a magician with the basketball, then Angel Reese is a human wrecking ball under the rim. Chicago’s rookie sensation didn’t just make her presence known, she obliterated the rookie double-double record and led the entire league in rebounds per game.
Here’s a look at Reese’s dominant numbers:
| Stat | Angel Reese |
|---|---|
| Points per game | 13.6 |
| Rebounds per game | 13.1 (Rookie Record) |
| Assists per game | 1.9 |
| Steals per game | 1.3 |
| 3-Point Percentage | 18.8% |
| Free Throw Percentage | 73.6% |
Reese’s ability to control the paint is undeniable. She’s an old-school, gritty post player who makes life miserable for opponents inside the arc. With stats like those, Reese wasn’t just a Rookie of the Year contender—she even grabbed an MVP vote. Yup, that’s right. While Clark was stacking up MVP votes in the third and fourth slots, one brave voter placed Reese in fourth for MVP. And this lone MVP vote could be pivotal in denying Clark a unanimous Rookie of the Year.
MVP Voting Breakdown: Clark, Reese, and the Dominance of A’ja Wilson
Before we get back to the Rookie of the Year discussion, let’s pause and appreciate A’ja Wilson, who won the 2024 MVP in a near-perfect sweep. Here’s a breakdown of how MVP votes were distributed among the top candidates:
| Rank | Player | 1st Place Votes | 2nd Place Votes | 3rd Place Votes | 4th Place Votes | 5th Place Votes | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A’ja Wilson | 67 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 670 |
| 2 | Napheesa Collier | 0 | 66 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 467 |
| 3 | Breanna Stewart | 0 | 1 | 52 | 9 | 1 | 295 |
| 4 | Caitlin Clark | 0 | 0 | 6 | 26 | 22 | 130 |
| 12 | Angel Reese | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
Clark’s fourth-place finish in MVP voting proves she’s already considered one of the top players in the league. But there’s a twist in the tale—Angel Reese’s lone fourth-place vote could open the door for a non-unanimous Rookie of the Year outcome.
Could Reese’s MVP Vote Prevent Clark’s Unanimous Win?
Let’s be honest, the MVP vote Angel Reese snagged came out of nowhere, like a fast-break rejection by Shaq in his prime. Most expected Clark to be the only rookie to factor into MVP discussions. Yet, there was Reese, quietly breaking records and winning hearts—especially that one voter’s heart.
The MVP and Rookie of the Year awards are voted on by the same panel of 67 voters, so it’s not far-fetched to think that the person who voted for Reese in the MVP race might give her a first-place vote for Rookie of the Year as well. And there it is—the potential thorn in Clark’s otherwise smooth road to unanimous victory.
Imagine the drama if Reese’s lone MVP vote translates into a Rookie of the Year vote. It’s the kind of plot twist we usually see in Hollywood—not the WNBA awards circuit. Could you imagine Caitlin Clark being denied the first unanimous Rookie of the Year award in years because of one rebel voter? The basketball gods sure have a sense of humor.
Clark vs. Reese: Who Has the Edge?
At the end of the day, while Angel Reese has had a phenomenal season, Caitlin Clark’s overall game gives her the edge. Clark’s contributions extend beyond her stats—she’s a floor general, a game-changer, and the Indiana Fever’s cornerstone for the future. Plus, as Reese would admit herself, Clark’s shot-making ability and playmaking vision are generational.
That being said, Reese’s rebounding prowess is something you can’t overlook. It’s entirely possible that one or two voters may favor Reese’s old-school dominance in the paint over Clark’s perimeter brilliance. But hey, that’s the beauty of sports—it’s all subjective.
Will Clark Go Unanimous? Or Will Reese Swoop In?
As we await the official announcement, one thing is clear—whether Clark wins unanimously or not, both she and Reese are stars of the future. The 2024 WNBA season was the appetizer, and these two are serving up a feast for the years to come.
If you’re Team Clark, you’re probably banking on a unanimous win to cement her status as one of the most outstanding rookies in history. But if you’re rooting for an underdog story, keep an eye on Reese. That lone MVP vote she snagged might just turn this award race into an unexpected cliffhanger.
In conclusion, both rookies have proven they belong among the WNBA elite. The final question is, will Caitlin Clark’s performance and accolades overpower that one voter’s love for Angel Reese’s grit? Stay tuned, WNBA fans, because this Rookie of the Year race isn’t over until the last vote is counted.