Caitlin Clark: Angel Reese and I Not Focused on Individual Awards amid WNBA ROY Race

Zach BacharContributor IAugust 31, 2024

Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark isn’t focused on winning the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year award, and she doesn’t believe that Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese is either.

“I think me and Angel would both give you the same answer,” Clark said when asked about the topic on Friday, per Evan Frank of the Indianapolis Star. “We don’t wake up and think about individual awards. I know that’s what all of you think we do. I know we don’t. That’s what everybody wants to make this about. Both of our teams are competing for playoff spots. That is our main focus.”

With the Fever sitting at 15-16 and the Sky owning a record of 11-19, both teams currently occupy the final two playoff spots in the WNBA.

Prior to Friday night’s matchup between Indiana and Chicago, Reese echoed a similar sentiment.

“We don’t either care about the Rookie of the Year,” Reese told reporters. “I think you guys have made it a big thing, we haven’t.”

Julia Poe @byjuliapoeAngel Reese echoes Caitlin Clark on the ROY debate: “We don’t either care about the Rookie of the Year. … I think you guys have made it a big thing.” pic.twitter.com/ixCxZC1IKb

“We’re just trying to do whatever it takes to win, that’s what’s important right now,” she added.

In a loaded 2024 WNBA rookie class, it’s hard to argue that Reese and Clark haven’t been the two most impactful first-year players. The former Iowa standout earned Rookie of the Month awards in May and July, while the LSU product secured the honor in June.

Clark’s scoring average of 18.0 points per game is the best mark among all rookies, while Reese’s 12.9 rebounds each night represents the highest average in the association.

Both players started their respective careers off strong, and they’ve continued to improve as the season has progressed. Over her last 10 games, Clark is averaging 22.2 points and 10.3 assists per game on 44.9/31.6/93.2 shooting splits. Meanwhile, Reese pulled down 76 rebounds in her past four appearances entering Friday’s action.

WNBA @WNBAUnchartered territory.

Angel Reese is the only WNBA player EVER to record three consecutive 20+ REB games 🔥#WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/KYGTusxg3f

The Fever have won seven of their past 10 contests and sit 0.5 games behind the Phoenix Mercury for the No. 6 seed. The Sky are in danger of slipping out of the playoff picture, as they’re currently on a four-game losing streak and hold a narrow one-game advantage over the Atlanta Dream at No. 9.