Caitlin Clark or Angel Reese? Here’s one way to look at it

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have undoubtedly stood out as the WNBA’s top rookies this season. Clark, drafted first overall by the Indiana Fever after an impressive college career at Iowa, has lived up to expectations with her stellar play. Meanwhile, Reese, selected at No. 7, has adapted quickly, showcasing her dominance as a center by setting a new WNBA record with 11 consecutive double-doubles and counting.

Despite not making the US Olympic team headed to Paris, both Clark and Reese will represent the WNBA All-Star team, marking their first appearances in the prestigious event.

Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark are battling for the WNBA’s Rookie of the Year Award

The pair have been cordial off the court but have often been pitted against one another

It’s notable that Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have both made the All-Star team, marking the first time since 2014 that two rookies have achieved this honor. However, they won’t be competing for the same Rookie of the Year title, which adds an interesting dynamic to their seasons.

Clark’s performance for the Fever has been significant, averaging 16 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game. Despite shooting 39.1% from the field and 33.7% from three-point range, slightly below her college percentages, her impact on the court remains substantial. If Indiana can maintain competitiveness, Clark’s contributions could make a strong case for Rookie of the Year.

While Caitlin Clark has been impressive in many aspects, her case for Rookie of the Year does face challenges, particularly in certain metrics. Her shooting percentages have been below expectations, and turnovers have been a concern, averaging 5.6 per game. Additionally, the statistical impact on the Fever’s offense when she’s off the court raises questions.

These factors contribute to a nuanced evaluation of her rookie season, despite her notable scoring and playmaking abilities. The Rookie of the Year race remains competitive, with these metrics likely playing a role in the final decision.

The statistics from Basketball Reference show that while the Indiana Fever’s offensive rating is slightly higher without Caitlin Clark on the court (104.7 points per 100 possessions compared to 102.2 with her), the difference in net rating per 100 possessions is minimal (0.2 points). This suggests that Clark’s impact, both positive and negative, is nuanced and influenced by various factors such as opponent strength and game situations.

It’s important to consider that some of the minutes without Clark might occur against bench units or during less critical game moments, potentially skewing these numbers. Despite these metrics, Clark has played a crucial role in the Fever’s improvement from a 2-9 start to an 8-13 record, highlighting her impact beyond statistical measures alone.

Clark has also compiled some historic numbers, as she’s already set the Fever’s rookie record for assists, and became the fastest player in WNBA history to record 300 points, 100 rebounds and 100 assists.

The Fever and Sky have faced off three times this season, with Clark’s squad winning twice

Reese recently hit Clark in the head with a hard flagrant foul while going for a block

Angel Reese has made a significant impact with the Chicago Sky, showcasing her prowess with averages of 13.2 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game, despite shooting 39.7% from the field. Her defensive presence is particularly notable, as the Sky are significantly better defensively with her on the court, allowing 12.3 fewer points per 100 possessions without her.

Despite the Sky’s record (7-11) being slightly behind the Fever’s, Reese’s statistical dominance, especially in rebounding categories where she leads the league, underscores her impact on both ends of the floor. Awards like Rookie of the Year often blend narrative and statistics, and Reese’s defensive contributions and rebounding prowess could sway voters in her favor.

Clark has assumed a massive offensive load for the Fever as the team’s playmaker

Angel Reese has embraced the role of a controversial figure in the WNBA, acknowledging her impact in drawing crowds to games and increasing viewership. In May, WNBA games saw the highest attendance in 26 years, with over 400,000 fans attending. Television viewership across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, and CBS has also significantly increased, averaging 1.32 million viewers, nearly tripling last season’s average.

Reese’s willingness to take on the “bad guy” role stems from her belief in supporting her teammates and contributing to the game’s visibility and popularity. Her on-court rivalry with Caitlin Clark, dating back to their college days, has added intrigue to their performances in the WNBA and likely contributed to heightened fan interest.

Clark and Reese have been rivals since Reese taunted Clark during the 2023 national championship

It’s evident that while Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have garnered significant attention in the Rookie of the Year race, other rookies like Kamilla Cardoso, Aaliyah Edwards, Rickea Johnson, and Cameron Brink (before her injury) have also made notable impacts. Cardoso and Edwards are contributing solidly in scoring and rebounding, while Johnson has been efficient despite the struggles of the LA Sparks. Brink showed promise early on before her unfortunate ACL injury ended her season.

Ultimately, the competition for Rookie of the Year remains between Clark and Reese, with their performances and team success likely to sway voters as the season progresses.