Lisa Leslie’s WNBA ROY Hot Take: Why Both Caitlin Clark & Angel Reese Should Share The Title

Caitlin Clark, Lisa Leslie and Angel Clark || Image credit: @lisaleslie @angelreese5 @caitlinclark22

Basketball legend Lisa Leslie has ignited a heated debate among WNBA fans after suggesting that both Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese deserve to be named the WNBA Rookie of the Year (ROY). Leslie’s comments came after both players’ particularly impressive performances, sparking a discussion about the criteria for the ROY award.

Leslie’s comments sparked discussion on social media, with fans and pundits debating whether the award should go to a single standout rookie or split between two of the league’s most promising young players.

Leslie, in her argument, pointed out the exceptional circumstances that both Reese and Clark had to face, beyond their performance on the court. These circumstances, she believes, set them apart from other rookies.

Clark and Reese have been outstanding this season.

Clark, the Indiana Fever’s first overall pick, made history by becoming the first rookie in the league to record a triple-double. She also set the league rookie records for single-season assists and three-pointers made. Not to mention, she also holds the league single-game assist record with an impressive 19 assists.

Reese is the only rookie to average a double-double, with 13.3 points and 13.1 rebounds per game. She also broke the league record for consecutive double-doubles earlier in the 2024 season, recording 15 in a row. The Chicago Sky’s No. 7 pick also recently broke the WNBA’s single-season rebounding record and surpassed Tina Charles regarding rookie double-doubles.

Both Clark and Reese continued to shine in their most recent games. Clark’s 28 points and 12 assists in the Fever’s victory over the Dallas Wings on Sunday, and Reese’s double-double and new WNBA single-season rebounding record in the Sky’s game against the Minnesota Lynx, left fans buzzing with excitement.

Leslie’s solution is to give both of them the award!

“I don’t care what comparisons you make; both @Reese10Angel and @CaitlinClark22 deserve the Rookie of the Year Award! The pressure and the weight of this season has forever changed the @WNBA and both rookies rose to the top and exceeded all our expectations! Take a bow, ladies!” the legend wrote on X.

Although fans agree with her assessment, others argue that Angel Reese deserves the award more than Caitlin Clark because she has pushed against all odds despite the initial low belief in her.