The 2024 WNBA season looks like one of the best campaigns in recent years, with multiple teams challenging the Las Vegas Aces for the top spot in the league. However, the league's popularity has skyrocketed due to the arrival of the 2024 rookie class led by Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark .
The two college standouts entered the WNBA and have quickly become the league's biggest rising stars. Reese is knocking out of the park with her statistics, setting an association record of 15 consecutive double-doubles. On the other hand, Clark is playing a well-rounded game with 16.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per game.
Their production has led to them being the top two candidates for the Rookie of the Year, which former WNBA player and legendary South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley has weighed in on.
"They're both having great years, don't get me wrong. If I had to pick today, it's Angel," Staley said on TMZ Sports. "What she's been able to do with the double-doubles, but listen, the season is halfway through, and Caitlin is coming."
Staley knows how to appreciate burgeoning talent
As the top person in the South Carolina program, Coach Staley is known for helping talent grow. She is a big figure for many of the league's current stars, such as A'Ja Wilson, Aliyah Boston, and Alisha Gray.
Since she is respected around the WNBA community, her opinion matters in the discourse. Thankfully, she is not part of the bizarre discourse of disrespecting the other to support their favorite player.
Thankfully, Coach Staley has shown appreciation for both players. She sees Angel as the favorite, but Caitlin is just behind her. Some might even have Clark as the favorite to win Rookie of the Year, with Reese behind her. It is a fantastic conversation as long as people ignore the disrespectful posts on social media about either rising star.
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The award will come down to the wire
Both players have strong cases for winning the Rookie of the Year award. Team success is a factor, but since the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever are close to each other, the voting will be closer than a few months ago, which Paul Pierce has been advocating for .
For Reese, you get a forward who has dominated the boards, unlike any rookie in the WNBA's history. The sticking point for her is the inefficiency of her scoring, as she has not had that soft touch around the rim yet. Thankfully, the LSU product is a workhorse, so she cleans up the mess by getting the offensive rebound and scoring the putback.
Clark has progressed well into the point guard position. It can be challenging due to the physicality and tough defense she played in the win. Still, she has acclimated well and is scoring her trademark long bombs from beyond the arc.
For Coach Staley, Angel has the advantage, but since the season is only halfway through, it would be best to expect Caitlin to make a strong charge for the award. The race for Rookie of the Year has ignited a fire in the WNBA community, and it will be exciting to see what will happen.
Related: "13 assists, that means my teammates made 13 shots off my passes" - Caitlin Clark gives credit for historic triple-double to her teammates
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