Throughout the 2024 season, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese were in a fierce contest for the WNBA Rookie of the Year title, creating one of the most competitive races in league history. The debate over who would ultimately secure the award was a hot topic throughout the year.
In the end, Clark emerged victorious, closing out her rookie season with an impressive stat line of 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 8.4 assists per game. She also shattered 21 different records, including the most points by a point guard in a single season, the most double-doubles by a rookie guard, and becoming the first rookie to record two triple-doubles.
While Clark’s rise to stardom sparked the “Caitlin Clark Effect,” drawing massive attention to women’s basketball, Reese also made a strong case for the award. Reese set a record for the most rebounds in a season and became the first player in WNBA history to record three consecutive 20-rebound games. Despite an injury late in the season, her impact was undeniable. Both rookies elevated their teams and left a lasting mark on the league, with the Fever edging out the Sky in their head-to-head series 3-1.
