ESPN Reveals Why It Changed Stance On Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese

ESPN has recently revealed its final WNBA rookie rankings as the regular season concludes, shifting Caitlin Clark to the top spot. Previously, Angel Reese held the No. 1 ranking in the August 29 update, but ESPN now places Clark ahead, citing her reduced turnovers and heightened scoring prowess. Clark has been dubbed a “lightning rod” scorer, with ESPN predicting she will remain a dominant force in the league for years to come, as her offensive and playmaking skills continue to evolve.

“Clark has significantly lowered her turnover rate while increasing her assist output,” ESPN noted, “resulting in a much-improved Indiana Fever offense.” According to the network, her rapid rise to the top of an analytics-driven list of elite scorers places her in a unique position among her peers, suggesting she could maintain her status for a long time.

Currently, Clark is averaging 19.5 points, 8.4 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game. She leads the WNBA in assists and is the highest-scoring rookie. While she also leads the league with 5.6 turnovers per game, her playmaking has been crucial in boosting the performances of her teammates, such as Lexie Hull and Kelsey Mitchell. Hull averages 5.6 points per game, shooting an impressive 44.8% from the field and 47.8% from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, Mitchell, a seasoned veteran, leads the Fever in scoring with 19.6 points per game and has benefited greatly from Clark’s presence on the court.

Clark’s standout contributions appear to give her the edge over Reese in ESPN’s eyes. Though Reese has been a dominant force, averaging 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds per game, it is Clark’s continued improvement and her role in leading the Fever to their first playoff berth since 2016 that solidifies her position at the top.