This year's Rookie of the Year competition in the WNBA is highly competitive, with Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese putting up impressive numbers and bringing increased visibility to the league. Both have been deservedly named All-Stars and bring a flare to the WNBA reminiscent of Magic and Larry Bird for the NBA in 1979. Though the race is far from over, one player has earned a slight edge over the other.
The Chicago Sky's rookie All-Star has not only done something we have never seen from a rookie but also never seen before in the WNBA. Her 27-point 10 rebound performance in a win over the Storm extended her WNBA single-season record for consecutive double-doubles to 12. She followed up it by setting a new double-double record with her 13th straight dropping 17 points and 14 rebounds in a loss to the Storm. Reese is currently the league leader in the WNBA in rebounding with 11.7 rebounds per game. She is also the second-leading scorer among rookies averaging 13.9 points per game trailing only Caitlin Clark.
Reese's impact on both ends of the floor has propelled the Sky into playoff contention. The Fever are currently the seventh seed in the WNBA, just above the Chicago Sky who sit at the eighth spot. Team performance could play a major role in who ultimately wins the Rookie of the Year award as the Sky and Fever have similar records. With Angel Reeses leading all rookies in win shares (2.4) her impact on the Sky's success cannot be overstated. If Reese continues to be a double-double machine and finishes ahead of Clark's Fever in the standings she will have a great chance of winning the Rookie of the Year award.
Source: WNBA YouTube Channel
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