The 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year race has been a two-person battle between Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever and Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky, both of whom have delivered record-breaking performances in their inaugural WNBA seasons. 

Clark has set WNBA rookie records in points, assists, and 3-pointers, while Reese shattered the single-season rebounding mark, surpassing 400 rebounds. Given her ability to turn the Fever into a playoff-bound team, despite a most challenging start to the season where the WNBA front-loaded her schedule, Clark has now cemented herself as the frontrunner for ROY. 

Oddsmakers strongly favor Clark to win the award, with Basketball Teams Odds at Fanduel listing her at -3000, compared to Reese’s +1500. Clark’s long-range shooting and playmaking have not only made her a leader in the Rookie of the Year race but also placed her in the MVP conversation.  Let’s take a look at the two superstar rookies.

Caitlin Clark’s Record-Breaking Season

As of this post, Clark is averaging an impressive 19.2 points, 8.5 assists, and 5.6 rebounds. Together with the team’s leading scorer Kelsey Mitchell and the interior presence of Aliyah Boston, the Fever’s Big Three has significantly impacted Indiana’s success in the WNBA standings. With a 10-3 record in their last thirteen games, the Fever have officially qualified for the postseason for the first time since 2016. If the playoffs started today, the Fever would be the No. 6 seed.

Along the way, Clark not only made the WNBA All-Star Game, but has set several league records. She set new benchmarks in scoring, assists, and three-pointers – not just for rookies, but all-time franchise and league records. Her popularity has soared and sold the most jerseys in the league.

Clark is shattering the rookie assists record with an average of 8.4 per game, highlighting her exceptional playmaking abilities. In a standout performance against the Dallas Wings, Clark set the single-game assists record by dishing out 19 assists, a feat previously unseen in the league. Moreover, she led the league in three-pointers made by a rookie, demonstrating her sharpshooting skillset translates from her college days.

WNBA legend Sue Bird remarked, “She’s got special, special skills, and those open things up for her,” underscoring Clark’s generational play.

Beyond these individual accolades, Clark’s impact on the Indiana Fever has been transformative. Under her leadership, the Fever turned their season around from a dismal 1-8 start.  Clark’s effective field goal percentage of 53.1% is the highest among rookies, and her ability to both score and facilitate has made her a cornerstone of the Fever’s offense.

Clark’s remarkable contributions have not only made her the favorite for Rookie of the Year but also placed her in the MVP conversation, underscoring her significance to her team’s success.

Angel Reese’s Rebounding Dominance

On the other hand, Reese’s dominance on the boards has been undeniable, averaging 13.3 points and 13.1 rebounds per game, including 5.2 offensive rebounds.

Angel Reese was rightfully named to the WNBA All-Star Game and has etched her name into the WNBA record books with an outstanding nose for the ball. Her rebounding this season has set several league records. In her first season, Reese broke the WNBA’s single-season rebounding record by surpassing Sylvia Fowles’ mark of 404 rebounds with 405 rebounds in just 32 games. 

Angel continues to dominate the boards, averaging an impressive 13.1 rebounds per game, including 5.2 offensive rebounds per contest. Reese also broke Tina Charles’ rookie rebounding record of 398 rebounds, showcasing her elite presence in the paint and her relentless pursuit of the ball. 

In addition to her single-season rebounding record, Reese has set several other milestones highlighting her exceptional knack around the rim. She became the first player in WNBA history to record three consecutive 20-rebound games, demonstrating her consistency and dominance on the boards. Furthermore, Reese established a new WNBA record with 15 consecutive double-doubles, illustrating her ability to contribute significantly both in scoring and rebounding. 

Currently holding 25 double-doubles, Reese is just three shy of Alyssa Thomas’ all-time record, positioning her as one of the league’s premier frontcourt players. Despite her Sky experiencing a six-game losing streak, Reese’s individual achievements have solidified her reputation as a formidable rookie, although team performance and shooting efficiency (38.5% from the field) have tempered her Rookie of the Year prospects.

Despite her rebounding prowess and the records she’s setting along the way, the Sky have struggled. The team has dropped six consecutive games, which not only weakens Reese’s Rookie of the Year chances but also Chicago’s playoff aspirations. Additionally, Reese’s shooting efficiency (38.5% from the field) has been an issue, especially as Clark boasts a 53.1% effective field goal percentage. 

Who will win WNBA Rookie of the Year?

While both Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have had exceptional rookie seasons, the biggest deciding factor in the race will come down to the team’s records. The Indiana Fever are firmly in the playoffs and as of the publication of this article, they have seven more wins. This combined with her record-setting performances in scoring and assists, make Caitlin Clark the clear frontrunner for the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year. 

Midway through the season when the Fever was still struggling, we chose Reese to win the race mostly due to their records being very similar and Reese was in the midst of her rebounding records and double-double streak. A month or two later, we’ve changed our minds based on Clark’s numbers, her own records and teaming with Mitchell and Boston to lift the Fever into the WNBA Playoffs for the first time since 2016.

Reese’s unparalleled rebounding achievements and multiple records underscore her dominance on the court, but Clark’s overall impact on her team’s success and record, on top of her versatility gives Clark a decisive edge over Reese in this highly competitive race for the WNBA’s 2024 Rookie of the Year