Caitlin Clark finds a way to surprise in Rookie of the Year race with a strong message to Angel Reese

 

As soon as WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced Caitlin Clark as the #1 overall pick in April’s draft, the clock began ticking on when the Indiana Fever guard would win her first individual silverware: a Rookie of the Year award, an MVP, and so on. But Clark was entering the league with competition in a stellar rookie class — a group of young players regarded as potentially transformative figures in the WNBA.

Clark’s fiercest competition for Rookie of the Year honors was her college “rival” Angel Reese, who set rebounding and double-double records during her debut season with the Chicago Sky. However, when Reese‘s rookie year ended prematurely due to injury, it seemed only a matter of time before Clark was named Rookie of the Year — but even then, the former Iowa star has found a way to surpass expectation.

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Clark’s unanimous ROTY win

Clark on Sunday was named the unanimous Rookie of the Year in the WNBA, capping a stellar debut season in the pro ranks that saw the Fever make the playoffs for the first time in eight years. Reese did not get a single first-place vote despite averaging 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds; her Sky missed the playoffs by two games.

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Clark, who averaged 19.2 points per game and led the league with 8.4 assists per contest, was also named to the All-WNBA first team alongside league MVP A’ja Wilson, Defensive Player of the Year winner Napheesa Collier, triple-double machine Alyssa Thomas, and 2023 MVP Breanna Stewart.

“This is a tremendous honor to be named The Associated Press Rookie of the Year,” Clark said. “This recognition wouldn’t be possible without an incredible group of teammates and coaches, and we are looking forward to continuing an exciting regular season in the postseason.”

The Fever meet Thomas and the Connecticut Sun in the first round of the playoffs beginning Sunday afternoon — and while a championship is not expected in Indiana this season, Clark has helped fashion the platform on which the Fever could take off into true contention over the coming seasons. Reese and the Sky will have to formulate a response of their own once Chicago returns to full health in 2025.