The more things change, the more they stay the same: Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese may be among the pros now, but they still spark a lot of discussion — and dominate on the basketball court.
In the race to see who will win the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year, Clark and Reese have begun to separate themselves from their fellow newcomers. It’s still early, but the fact that Reese is the only rookie averaging a double-double while Clark raises the fever in playoff contention is certainly notable.
If the race comes down to these two in September, when the regular season ends, it’s likely voters will consider how Clark and Reese competed against each other. On that note, Clark and Indiana are currently 2-0 against the Sky. The third game in this budding rivalry will take place on Sunday.
Reese and Clark aren’t the only two newbies making noise, however. Read on for a list of WNBA rookie power rankings.
1. Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever
Statistics from 15 matches: 16.1 ppg, 5.1 RPG, 6.2 apg
Breakdown: The more Caitlin Clark plays, the more comfortable she feels. Although his logo 3s are what fans love most, Clark has found success driving to the basket early in games. Getting to the rim helps her establish a shooting rhythm and opens up the floor for her teammates, giving her more space to operate as the game progresses. There have been flashes over the last few games of the Clark-Aliyah Boston connection that have everyone excited, and it’s clear that the more time these two spend on the court together, the more they’ll do damage. Clark still needs to cut down on his turnovers; she leads the league with 5.5 per game.
2. Angel Reese, Chicago Sky
Statistics from 13 matches: 12.1 ppg, 10.2 RPG, 1.8 spg, 37.1% FG
Breakdown: Rest assured, if there’s a bounce, there’s a good chance Angel Reese will get his hands on it. The 6-foot-3 forward has been cleaning the windows for the Sky, averaging 12.2 rebounds over her last five games. She also continues to lead the league in offensive rebounds per game (4.6). The biggest problem is that Reese isn’t shooting as high a percentage as she should for someone who spends so much time near the basket. She’s great at getting second opportunities – all she needs to do is exploit them more.
3. Rickea Jackson, Los Angeles Sparks
Statistics from 14 matches: 10.3 ppg, 3.4 RPG, 47.3% FG
Breakdown: The Sparks’ other first-round pick got most of the hype, but anyone who followed Rickea Jackson in college knew Los Angeles was getting an absolute scorer. Jackson has shown that of late, scoring 16 or more points in three of his last four games. She’s also one of only two rookies playing significant minutes shooting 45% or better from the field (Aaliyah Edwards of the Washington Mystics is the other). If she maintains this production, Los Angeles may want to start her more (the Sparks’ starting lineups this year have fluctuated considerably due to injuries). At the same time, it’s huge to have this type of score coming off the bench.
4. Aaliyah Edwards, Washington Mystics
Statistics from 14 matches: 9.1 ppg, 6.4 role plays, 1.1 ppg, 52.1% FG
Breakdown: Has Aaliyah Edwards read the latest USA TODAY Sports WNBA Rookie Power Rankings? She may have, because after emphasizing that wins matter — and placing last because the Mystics were winless at the time — she helped Washington to two wins, averaging 10 points and 7.5 rebounds in those wins. The Mystics are bad enough that Edwards has gone unnoticed by rookies, but anyone who knows the game knows how well she’s been playing lately. This will only get better, especially as the Mystics get better.
5. Kamilla Cardoso, Chicago Sky
Statistics from seven matches: 8.4 ppg, 6.3 RPG, 48.9% FG
Breakdown: Now that she’s off a minutes restriction — she missed the first two weeks of the season after injuring her shoulder — we’re starting to see how dominant Kamilla Cardoso can be in the paint. Against the Fever on June 16, she grabbed seven rebounds in the first quarter alone. She finished with 10 (and 10 points), meaning the focus will be on consistency moving forward. Still, as she settles into the pros, it’s clear that Cardoso is going to be a nightmare for opposing defenses.
6. Cameron Brink, Los Angeles Sparks
Statistics from 14 matches: 8.1 points per game, 5.7 role plays, 2.5 points per game
Breakdown: Cameron Brink continues to be one of the best rim protectors in the league, and her defensive contribution goes well beyond her 2.5 blocks per game. Her offensive contribution, however, is far from consistent: Brink scored 16 goals in her last game against the Atlanta Dream, but she didn’t score at all in the previous game. Part of the reason is that she tends to get into trouble and head to the bench early. Once she learns to stay grounded, Brink will be a handful on both ends.
7. Julie Vanloo, Washington Mystics
Statistics from 14 matches: 8.1 ppg, 2.0 RPG, 5.4 apg
Breakdown: The 31-year-old rookie continues to impress, although his production has declined slightly as defenses have started to figure him out. Still, Julie Vanloo is a steady contributor for the Mystics, who are fighting to prove they’re not the worst team in the league. Vanloo’s veteran experience will be key if Washington wants to make a push for the playoffs.
8. Kate Martin, Ace of Las Vegas
Statistics from 11 matches: 4.5 ppg, 2.8 RPG, 1.5 apg
Breakdown: It’s hardly Katie Martin’s fault but, damn, the Aces are struggling. Point guard Chelsea Gray still hasn’t returned from injury — although she’s expected to return soon — and Vegas is clearly trying to find a lineup that works well together. Martin hasn’t played as much recently, averaging just 12 minutes in his last three games. When she’s on the floor, it’s important that she hits open shots and grabs rebounds. One of her best traits is that she takes care of the ball. If she continues like this, she will stay on the ground.
Unclassified : Alissa Pili, Minnesota Lynx (average less than six minutes per game); Jacy SheldonDallas Wings (playing only 13 minutes per game on one of the worst teams in the league); Nika MühlSeattle Storm (played three minutes total in Seattle’s last three games)
Email Lindsay Schnell at lschnell@usatoday.com and follow her on social media @Lindsay_Schnell