Caitlin Clark was previously named the Associated Press Rookie of the Year, earning an overwhelming 66 out of 67 votes from a panel of national sportswriters and broadcasters. In response to receiving the honor, Clark shared her gratitude:
“I am incredibly honored to be named Rookie of the Year, but more than that, I am grateful to everyone who supported me throughout this past season – my family and friends, my teammates, the Fever organization, and everyone who cheered us on all season. I am so proud of what we accomplished and excited for what the future holds.”.
In a surprising revelation, Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese voiced her belief that she would have won Rookie of the Year if not for an untimely wrist injury. Known for her impressive skill set and fierce competitive drive, Reese made an immediate impact in the WNBA after being drafted. Her early performances highlighted her ability to score, rebound, and defend, cementing her status as a standout player.
However, a wrist injury derailed her momentum during key moments of the season. Reflecting on the missed opportunity, Reese said in an interview, “I know I had what it took to be in that ROTY conversation. If it hadn’t been for the wrist injury, I’d have been ROTY. My fans know it, my family knows it, everyone knows it.”
Recently, Reese took to social media to provide details about her season-ending injury — a small crack in a bone in her left wrist, which required surgery. In a candid TikTok video, she explained how the injury occurred:
“I fell on my hand when I got the and-1. I fell back, and my hand hit the ground, causing a small crack in the bone,” Reese shared. She went on to explain the gravity of the situation, saying, “The doctors gave me two options — either have surgery or risk arthritis at 22 years old. That wasn’t an option. The bone could’ve completely shattered. Right now, it’s just a hairline crack, and they’ll put a small screw in it to prevent it from getting worse.”
Despite the setback, Reese’s determination remains strong as she looks forward to her recovery and future in the WNBA.
Angel Reese underwent successful wrist surgery on Tuesday, the Chicago Sky confirmed. She will wear a hard cast for four weeks, followed by a soft cast for two. Reese explained the severity of her injury, pointing out that without the surgery, her career could have been at risk due to the limited blood flow in the wrist area.
Reese, the No. 7 pick in the WNBA draft, finished her rookie season with remarkable averages of 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds per game, setting a new WNBA record for rookie rebounds and securing 26 double-doubles. Her final game of the season saw her contribute to a 92-78 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks.
Her career has been closely intertwined with fellow rookie Caitlin Clark, dating back to their NCAA championship showdown two years ago. Reese’s LSU team triumphed, and now, both players are leading the WNBA in fan engagement, lifting TV ratings, attendance, and merchandise sales.
“It’s tough to see anyone go down, especially someone you entered the league with,” said Clark. “Angel had an incredible year, and playing against her, I know how hard she works. It’s devastating to see her season cut short.”
Reese remains determined and upbeat about her recovery, saying she’ll focus on conditioning, shooting with her non-dominant hand, and maintaining her off-court activities such as modeling and podcasting. She also addressed rumors circulating on social media, firmly denying claims that she was pregnant: “I’m 22 with no kids, and that’s not happening anytime soon.”
Despite her injury, Reese is optimistic about her team’s chances: “I still believe we’re making the playoffs.” Chicago is currently clinging to the final playoff spot, holding a narrow lead over Atlanta, with a crucial game against the Washington Mystics approaching.
