WNBA Rookie of the Year Race is Heating Up

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark and Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese are putting together two of the most prolific

rookie seasons in the history of the WNBA.

Clark and Reese have significantly separated themselves from the rest of this year’s rookie class, but is there much separation between the star rookies themselves? As they each continue to etch their names into the history books on a nightly basis, one of the WNBA’s record-setting rookies is setting herself apart from her counterpart.

While Reese has seemingly dominated every opponent that’s stood in her way this season, Clark has continuously diced up the entire league, separating herself as the clear favorite for WNBA Rookie of the Year.

Here’s Draft Nations’ case for ROY for both frontrunners:

Reese’s case – Rebounding and interior dominance

Reese stepped into the WNBA and immediately became one of the top rebounders and interior forces in the entire league, and she’s already made plenty of history this season. The 6-foot-3 forward is grabbing a league-best 12.9 rebounds per game—which would shatter the WNBA record.

Averaging 5.2 offensive rebounds a night, Reese also leads the WNBA in offensive boards a game by a wide margin. She’s one of just three players averaging a double-double this season in the WNBA. In fact, Reese tallied 15 consecutive games with a double-double earlier this season, setting a WNBA record. Her 22 double-doubles on the season are tied for the all-time single-season record for a rookie.

Earlier this week, during a three-game stretch from Aug. 18 to Aug. 25, the full Angel Reese experience was on display. During that stretch, Reese recorded three consecutive 20-rebound double-doubles, becoming the first WNBA player ever to tally 20 or more rebounds in a game in back-to-back contests.

While dominating on the glass, Reese shot just 31% from the field across those three dominant performances—a feat that has become all too common for her this season. According to StatMamba on X, Reese is shooting just 38.9% on field goal attempts while converting just 43.8% of the time within five feet of the basket—the worst mark in the league amongst qualified players. Reese’s continued shooting struggles have been the biggest detriment to her Rookie of the Year candidacy this year.

Clark’s case – Efficiency, all-around dominance

One of the biggest separators between the two stars this season has been in the efficiency department. At first glance, Clark is shooting just slightly better than Reese from the field—41.4% compared to 38.7%, but the numbers begin to skew heavily in Clark’s favor when a little bit more digging is done. Clark has been the WNBA’s best rookie, finishing at the basket this season, converting 60.4% of her shots at the rim.

Additionally, Clark’s effective field goal percentage currently rests at 51.8%, while Reese’s sits considerably lower at 38.9%. Clark (58.0%) also boasts a better true shooting percentage than Reese (46.1%).

Just about 30 games into her career, Clark has also set her fair share of records. Clark became the first player in WNBA history with at least 15 points and 13 assists in three consecutive games earlier in the year. She recorded the first triple-double in Fever history and the first ever triple-double by a rookie in a win over the league-leading New York Liberty. Clark finished that contest with 19 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds.

The former Iowa star also became the fastest player in WNBA history to 400 total points and 200 total assists. Clark accomplished that feat in just 26 games, seven games sooner than Sue Bird, the previous record holder. In the final game before the All-Star break, Clark, who leads the league in assists, compiled a WNBA single-game record 19 assists.

Clark’s most recent history making performance came this past Wednesday. After drilling her first triple of the game in a win over the Connecticut Sun, Clark became the WNBA single-season record holder for 3-pointers made by a rookie.

If there were to be an argument against Clark’s Rookie of the Year campaign it is her ongoing turnover issues. Clark has had some trouble adjusting to the increased speed and physicality of the WNBA game during her rookie campaign. She’s averaging a league-worst 5.5 turnovers per game and has 57 more total turnovers than the next closest player. Clark also broke the single-season turnover record just 25 games into the season.

The Bottom Line

Clark entered the season as the favorite to win Rookie of the Year, and that hasn’t changed. Take nothing away from what Reese has been doing with the Sky this season. She’s continued to shatter different WNBA records every time she touches the floor. However, the efficiency numbers are hard to overlook.

Additionally, while Clark has had her fair share of turnover troubles, the Fever guard’s rookie season has been one for the record books. Considering that the Fever are currently 3.5 games up on the Sky in the WNBA standings, it’s clear to see that the Rookie of the Year race continues to be Clark’s to lose.