USA Today Pits Caitlin Clark Against Angel Reese in Controversial WNBA Rookie Rankings
The WNBA season is currently on break as Team USA participates in the 2024 Paris Olympics. But with the league season resuming later this month, fans are already itching for more exciting women’s basketball action.
To add more fuel to that excitement, USA Today recently released its midseason rankings for Rookie of the Year, spotlighting the fierce competition between two standout players: Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.
Caitlin Clark has emerged as the clear frontrunner for the Rookie of the Year award, leading by a significant margin in the latest rankings. Clark, who recently set an All-Star Game record for assists, has dominated various statistical categories. She leads all rookies in points per game (17.1), assists per game (8.2), and steals per game (1.5). Her exceptional performance has made headlines, especially given the controversy surrounding her absence from Team USA for the Olympics due to her commitment to competing in a college national championship.
Earlier in the season, the race between Clark and Reese appeared to be closely contested. However, Clark’s record-breaking achievements have widened the gap between her and her Chicago Sky rival. Clark set the all-time single-game assist record with 19 assists in a loss to the Dallas Wings and followed that up with a rookie-record 10 assists in the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game.
Angel Reese, meanwhile, has also made a strong impression. She set the all-time WNBA record for consecutive double-doubles with 15, averaging 13.5 points and 12.0 rebounds per game in the first half of her rookie campaign. Her performance has kept her firmly in the conversation for the Rookie of the Year award, showcasing her consistent contributions and ability to impact games.
As the WNBA season resumes, Clark and the Indiana Fever will face off against the Phoenix Mercury on August 16, while Reese and the Chicago Sky will play against the Mercury on August 15. Fans will be eagerly watching to see if Clark can maintain her lead and secure the Rookie of the Year title or if Reese can close the gap and make a late push for the award.
With the season heating up and both players demonstrating their exceptional skills, the battle for Rookie of the Year promises to be one of the most exciting storylines in the league as it returns from the Olympic break.
