Caitlin Clark officially named WNBA Rookie of the Year; Angel Reese says she would have been ROTY if it had not been for wrist injury

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (KGAN) — Indiana Fever guard and former Hawkeye superstar Caitlin Clark was named the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year, the league announced Thursday.

She had previously been named the Associated Press Rookie of the Year.

A panel of national sportswriters and broadcasters voted to give her the award. Clark received 66 out of 67 votes.

I am incredibly honored to be named Rookie of the Year, but more than that, I am grateful to everyone that supported me throughout this past season – my family and friends, my teammates, the Fever organization and everyone that cheered us on all season. I am so proud of what we accomplished and so excited for what the future holds,” Clark said in the release.

Seattle Storm’s Sami Whitcomb (32) goes to the basket against Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark (22) during the second half of a WNBA basketball game, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Clark finished the season averaging 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 8.4 assists per game in her rookie year.

SHOCKING: Angel Reese says she would have been ROTY if it had not been for wrist injury

Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese recently opened up about her season, expressing her belief that she would have secured the Rookie of the Year (ROTY) title had it not been for an injury that hampered her performance. The talented forward, known for her impressive skill set and competitive spirit, quickly made an impact in the WNBA after being drafted.

Reese’s early games showcased her ability to score, rebound, and play tough defense, making her a standout player. However, a significant injury sidelined her during crucial stretches of the season, limiting her contributions and affecting her overall statistics. In a recent interview, she reflected on the frustration of missing key opportunities, stating, “I know I had what it took to be in that ROTY conversation.”

“If it had not been for wrist injury I’d have beeen ROTY. My fans know it, my family know it, everyone knows it”.

With her talent and drive, Angel Reese is poised to become a cornerstone for the Chicago Sky, and the league will undoubtedly keep a close eye on her journey ahead.

Angel Reese explains injury to left wrist, undergoes surgery

Angel Reese took to social media to explain her season-ending injury — a small crack in a bone in her left wrist that required surgery.

“I fell on my hand when I got the and-1, when I fell back [and] fell on my hand, and it is a small crack in my bone,” Reese said in a video posted to her TikTok account late Sunday night.

“Basically, the doctors told me that I could either not get surgery or have surgery. The risk of not having surgery — I could literally have arthritis at 22 years old. That wasn’t an option. The bone could literally crack and completely shatter. Right now, it’s like a hairline. … They’re going to put a small screw in it. And I wasn’t going for it getting any bigger.”

Reese had successful surgery Tuesday, the Sky said in a release. The forward said she’ll be in a hard cast for four weeks and then a soft cast for two.

“Long term, I literally could have not played anymore because this is a very hard place to heal because the blood flow is little to none,” she said while pointing to her right wrist, which was wrapped in a black soft cast.

Reese, the No. 7 pick in the draft, finished the season averaging 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds. It’s the highest rebound average in the history of the WNBA. Reese also set the rookie record with 26 double-doubles — her last coming in a 92-78 win over Los Angeles on Friday night that is now her last game of the season.

Reese has been intertwined with Indiana rookie Caitlin Clark since the pair faced off in the NCAA championship two years ago. Reese’s LSU squad came away with the win. They have lifted the WNBA in television ratings, attendance and merchandise sales this season.

“It’s definitely sad whenever you see anyone go down with an injury, especially people that you came into this league with,” Clark said Sunday. “You want to see her finish out this year. Obviously, she’s had a historic year, and she’s done some incredible things.

“For me, getting to play against her, her motor is up there — if not the best in the league. She just doesn’t stop working. I thought she had a tremendous year. I thought she came into the league and really did what she’s done well her entire career as long as I’ve known her. It’s really devastating. It’s never anything you want to see from a player.”

Reese said she’ll continue to train and participate in off-court ventures during her recovery.

“So in the meantime, I will just be in my hard cast for four weeks. … During that time I’ll just be lifting, running, conditioning, shooting with my off hand, dribbling and doing stuff with my off hand, working on my nutrition,” Reese said. “[I’ll be] modeling still, podcasting still, being a baddie still… and supporting my teammates from afar. Well, not afar but on the bench. … I still believe we’re still making the playoffs.”

Reese responded in the video to social media suggestions that she was pregnant, saying it was untrue.

“That was never a thing. … I want to make this crystal clear, I don’t have a man to have kids; I don’t have a ring to have kids, I am 22 with no kids. And I’m not coming to kids,” she said. “So that’s not going to be a thing anytime soon. I just want y’all to know that. because I know y’all like to have some clicks.”

Chicago is currently in the final playoff position, one game ahead of Atlanta. The Sky face Washington on Wednesday.