Caitlin Clark Falls Just Short of Unanimous WNBA Rookie of the Year Award

Caitlin Clark, the standout point guard for the Indiana Fever, narrowly missed out on a unanimous selection for the WNBA Rookie of the Year award, receiving 66 votes while her rival Angel Reese garnered just one. This result, announced on Thursday, left fans and analysts alike expressing their disbelief that anyone besides Clark would receive a vote, given her remarkable achievements this season.

Historic Campaign

Clark's campaign was nothing short of historic. She broke the WNBA rookie scoring record and also set the record for single-season assists, making her the only rookie this year to achieve a triple-double. Furthermore, her stellar performance played a significant role in leading the Fever to their first playoff appearance since 2016, marking a turnaround for a franchise that had struggled in previous seasons.

Reese's Campaign

On the other hand, while Reese also enjoyed a successful rookie campaign, setting the rebounding record, her contributions were overshadowed by the Chicago Sky's disappointing finish this year, as the team ranked among the three worst in the league. Compounding her challenges, Reese's season was hampered by a wrist injury that forced her to miss several key games, ultimately impacting her Rookie of the Year bid.

Season Averages

Here's a closer look at their season averages:

- Caitlin Clark: 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 8.4 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.

- Angel Reese: 13.6 points, 13.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.

Clark's Response

Despite not achieving a unanimous win, Clark expressed her gratitude: "I am incredibly honored to be named Rookie of the Year, but more than that, I am grateful to everyone that supported me throughout this past season – my family and friends, my teammates, the Fever organization, and everyone that cheered us on all season. I am so proud of what we accomplished and so excited for what the future holds."

Looking Ahead

As the league looks forward to the 2025 season, fans are eagerly anticipating how these two talented players will continue to develop and impact the game. With Clark's eyes set on further success and Reese likely to rebound from her injury, the rivalry between these two rookies could add even more excitement to the WNBA landscape in the coming years. Stay tuned as the drama unfolds!