Before the WNBA's Olympic break, there was a real and honest debate regarding who this season's Rookie of the Year should be between former NCAA superstar Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky's energetic forward Angel Reese .
After all, Clark was still getting used to the nuances of the pro game while her team struggled to notch wins. On the other hand, Reese was grabbing rebounds like her life depended on it, making history by registering 15 straight double-doubles.
However, times have changed since then, as Caitlin has hit her stride, averaging 24.6 points on 47% shooting, 9.0 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game since the league resumed its games. With the guard from Des Moines, Iowa, finding her comfort level in the WNBA, the Fever have surged, winning six of their last seven games to climb to the sixth seed in the playoff race.
With these things in mind, renowned sports commentator Nick Wright declared there is no question that Caitlin is the best newcomer in the league right now and should rightfully win the Rookie of the Year award.
A certified superstar
After a sluggish start in which Caitlin made only 37% of her shots, including a dismal 32% from long distance, the six-foot guard has finally figured things out. She's now playing with more confidence and freedom, hitting her teammates with pinpoint passes and making deep triples like in the NCAA.
"The girl is a superstar. A superstar," Nick declared on 'What's Wright? With Nick Wright.'
Clark is by no means a perfect player, especially with her propensity for turning the ball over. Despite that, Wright says there is absolutely no question who the ROTY is, despite some people's efforts to argue that Angel deserves it just as much.
"Is she a perfect player? No. Is she the best player in the league? No, that is clearly and unanimously A'ja Wilson. And that then brings us to the Rookie of the Year thing, which, now, in my opinion, is a different example of people embarrassing themselves," Wright stated. "Folks have bent over backwards to try to explain why what Angel is doing—which is spectacular—is on par with what Caitlin is doing, which is historic. And it's just not."
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Leslie wants Caitlin and Angel to share the ROTY award
One person who wants Angel to get the same shine as Caitlin is Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie. The three-time WNBA MVP recently posted on X her thoughts regarding the ROTY race, saying the two standouts deserve the award.
Wright, though, resisted the idea of handing out participation trophies, which, in his opinion, Leslie is suggesting.
"So, now, all of a sudden, we're doing participation trophies. Now all of a sudden, we are going to try to pretend like Angel, who again is having a 91 out of 100 rookie season, is on par with Caitlin's rookie season, which is one of the greatest rookie seasons in the history of the league, if not the greatest. And it's just embarrassing," Nick stressed. "Nobody with a straight face can say there is a real debate about who the most impactful or best rookie in women's basketball has been this year. It's Caitlin Clark."
Angel has played incredible basketball and has proven her worth as a top draft pick in the WNBA. However, Caitlin has shown that she is on a level on her own, both with her performances and ability to lead the once moribund Fever to the cusp of a playoff appearance.
Related: "Your ego is not your amigo" - Women's basketball legend Nancy Lieberman addresses Sheryl Swoopes' apparent dislike of Caitlin Clark
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