Angel Reese is ahead of the pack for the WNBA Rookie of the Year award despite Caitlin Clark’s previous success with the Indiana Fever.
That’s the verdict of Dawn Staley, the winner of the March Madness competition in South Carolina. She has no doubt that the Chicago Sky forward would receive the award if the decision were made now.
Reese and Clark are both having sensational debut seasons in Chicago and Indiana respectively. The former’s average of 11.8 rebounds per game is the highest in the league.
Her archrival at the Fever, meanwhile, leads the rookies in points per game (16.8) and has set numerous records, including becoming the first rookie ever to record 400 points, 150 assists and 100 rebounds.
When Staley asked her who she would name Rookie of the Year next, she named Reese as the clear winner.
Angel Reese (right) should be voted Rookie of the Year ahead of Caitlin Clark (left), says South Carolina coach Dawn Staley
Staley says there’s ‘no doubt’ Reese has been the best rookie in the WNBA this season
“They both have great lives, don’t get me wrong,” the 54-year-old said TMZ Sport.
“If I had to pick a Rookie of the Year right now, it would be… Angel. No question about it. [Because of] what she was able to do with the double-doubles.’
Opinion is divided over who leads the Rookie of the Year race two months into the regular season, with others convinced Clark’s good form with the Fever makes her the favorite.
Conservative sports commentator Jason Whitlock thinks the former Iowa star has the best chance of winning. Regarding her high turnover rate on X, he says:[Michael] Jordan wasn’t defended like Clark was. Plus she’s a risk taker/gambler because she’s so much more skilled than 97% of the players.’
On Friday, Clark broke the Fever’s franchise record for most assists in a quarter (7) with nine in Indiana’s 96-85 win over Phoenix Mercury.
Reese and Clark both have sensational seasons in Chicago and Indiana respectively
Meanwhile, a national panel of voters who rate The Associated Press’s weekly Power Poll finds that Clark is ahead of Reese in the race for ROTY honors halfway through the season.
Clark and Reese have garnered national attention with their record-breaking rookie seasons, becoming the first rookie duo to make an All-Star team since 2014. It’s no surprise then that they are leading candidates for the award.
Thanks to them, the competition has grown significantly in terms of viewership, attendance and merchandise sales. And with so many basketball games yet to be played, it can be argued that one of them should win the prize.