Where do Caitlin Clark, Cameron Brink and Angel Reese rank in our WNBA rookie rankings?

The 2024 WNBA draft class – one of the most anticipated in league history – enters its third week of the season, and while there have been several highlights, there has also been a share of growing difficulties.

Three of the high-profile signings are averaging double figures – Cameron Brink, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese – while several others are starting to look more and more comfortable offensively.

And since Rookie of the Year will likely be a hotly contested battle all season in such a talented class, let’s take a look at the top eight so far.

8. Kate Martin, Ace of Las Vegas

Statistics: 5 points (30.8% FG), 4.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists
Team record: 3-1

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the draft class, Kate Martin was selected in the second round by the Aces and made the final roster when most expected her to be cut at camp. training.

Martin made an impact during her tenure at Iowa, but was never considered a serious draft prospect until a few standout performances in the NCAA Tournament. The Aces have only played three games so far, but Martin has been the eighth-leading scorer among rookies, averaging 5 points per game in 21 minutes per night. She more than deserves her nickname Kate “Money” Martin and has received rave reviews from her teammates and coaches for her ability to defend and be in the right place at the right time.

7. Sevgi Uzun, Dallas Wings

Statistics: 6 points (38.7% FG, 41.7% from three), 5.8 assists, 2.4 rebounds, 1.2 steals
Team record: 3-2

Sevgi Uzun, a 26-year-old Turkish guard, is one of two notable rookies in this ranking to have signed in free agency from abroad. Uzun played the second-most minutes among all rookies (31 per night) and had the second-most assists to cement his early seventh-best status.

6. Aaliyah Edwards, Washington Mystics

Statistics: 6.5 points (41% FG), 4.2 rebounds, 1 assist
Team record: 0-6

Aaliyah Edwards — after a standout career at UConn — is off to a hot start with the Mystics, who remain the only winless team in the WNBA. In five games, she only had one double-digit performance, but she played big minutes and fought well against opposing bigs.

5. Julie Vanloo, Washington Mystics

Statistics: 9.8 points (45.8% FG, 38.9% from three), 5.5 assists, 3 rebounds
Team record: 0-6

Like Uzun above, Julie Vanloo is not your average recruit; the 31-year-old has been a professional basketball player overseas for the past dozen years and was signed as a free agent by the Mystics in February. But she’s been one of the most effective playmakers in the rookie class thus far, with her experience shining through on a rebuilding Mystics team.

4. Rickea Jackson, Los Angeles Sparks

Statistics: 9.8 points (54.8% FG, 50% from three), 2.4 rebounds
Team record: 1-4

Rickea Jackson, picked fourth overall, was one of the Sparks’ two standout rookies. Jackson has been the most effective rookie in the talented 2024 draft class and had a standout game against the Fever on Friday, scoring 16 points on 5-7 shooting in 21 minutes. Jackson comes off the bench and only attempts 6.6 shots per night, but appears to be ready for a bigger role in Los Angeles.

3. Angel Reese, Chicago Sky

Statistics: 12.3 points (35.7% FG, 63.3% FT), 7.8 rebounds (4.5 offensive), 1.5 assists
Team record: 2-2

More importantly for Reese, her Chicago Sky, ranked last in ESPN’s preseason WNBA rankings, won two of its first four games, including an impressive victory over the previously undefeated Liberty. Reese played a vital role in Sky, attracting more national eyes to the franchise, but also producing regularly on the field.

2. Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever

Statistics: 15.4 points (37.1% FG, 31.6% from three), 6.3 assists, 5.4 rebounds, 5.3 turnovers, 1.1 steals
Team record: 1-6

Despite all the talk about her early struggles, Caitlin Clark still made an impact early in her professional career as she adjusted to life as a starting point guard in the WNBA. Clark leads all rookies with nearly 5 points and is also the second-leading rebounder among first-year players.

Clark’s biggest challenge so far has been taking care of the ball; she broke a Fever franchise record for turnovers in her first game of the season and had four games with at least 5 turnovers. But she did it all amid Indiana’s roster of extraordinarily tough opponents to begin with — facing the Sun twice, Liberty twice and Aces once — all in the midst of a historically heavy schedule, with the Fever having played seven games this season while most teams have only played four or five.

1. Cameron Brink, Los Angeles Sparks

Statistics: 10.8 points (52.8% FG), 5.2 rebounds, 3.2 blocks, 2.4 assists
Team record: 1-4

Cameron Brink, drafted second overall by the Sparks after an illustrious career at Stanford, was the highest-scoring rookie in the draft class through the first three weeks of the WNBA season. In five games, Brink is averaging 10.8 points on 53.8% shooting, most recently capped by a 21-point, 7-12 shooting performance. She also leads the league in blocks so far, averaging 3.2 denials per night.

Defense has always been what Brink is best known for, and so far, that has translated pretty well. Extra fouls allowed in the WNBA have come a long way; she frequently committed fouls during college games, but was awarded a sixth personal foul at the professional level. She has committed five fouls in three of her first five games, so while the whistles are something she will still have to minimize, she has yet to foul.

Agree with the ranking? Do you think anyone should have been higher or lower? Let us know in the comments below.

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