As the WNBA season gears up to resume on August 15 following a significant break for the 2024 Paris Olympics, the spotlight is on the tight race for the Rookie of the Year award. With the regular season nearing its conclusion and the postseason race heating up, the debate over who deserves the top rookie accolade is intensifying.
Among the standout newcomers from the 2024 WNBA draft class are Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark and Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese. Both players have delivered exceptional performances, establishing themselves as the leading candidates for Rookie of the Year.
Caitlin Clark, who has been impressive throughout the season, is averaging 17.1 points, 8.2 assists, and 5.8 rebounds per game. If she maintains these numbers, she would make WNBA history as the first player to average such stats for an entire season.
On the other hand, Angel Reese is also having a standout rookie season, averaging a double-double with 13.5 points and 11.9 rebounds. Achieving a double-double average for an entire season is a rare feat, accomplished by only four rookies in WNBA history.
It's a BATTLE for Rookie of the Year between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese 😤 pic.twitter.com/kdPNcdTLcQ
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) August 14, 2024
In a recent podcast episode, Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green weighed in on the Rookie of the Year race, expressing his preference for Caitlin Clark. Green explained his choice, stating, “I’m going with Caitlin Clark because I believe the player from the team that makes the playoffs will likely win the award. And I think her team is in a better position.”
As it stands, the Indiana Fever (11-15) are seventh in the WNBA standings, while the Chicago Sky (10-14) are close behind in eighth place. The top eight teams in the standings, regardless of conference, advance to the playoffs, so both teams are currently in contention for postseason play.
Green’s endorsement of Clark highlights the significance of team success in determining individual awards. With the playoffs approaching, the performances of both Clark and Reese will be closely scrutinized, adding more excitement to the end of an already thrilling season.
