At one point in the season, there was a lot of talk about Angel Reese potentially upsetting Caitlin Clark for the WNBA Rookie of the Year title. The buzz died down as the Indiana Fever rookie sensation took her game (and the Indiana Fever) to a whole ‘nother level after the month-long Olympic break.
It has now become abundantly clear that Reese will need to settle for a runner-up trophy — figuratively speaking, of course — behind Clark and the latter’s iconic debut campaign. The Chicago Sky star, however, still has a lot to be proud of.
One of those is the fact that Reese finished the season with the highest double-digit scoring rate among all rookies. The 22-year-old scored in double figures in 30 out of 34 games she played this season, giving her an 88.2 percent double-digit scoring rate.
Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) looks on during the first half of a basketball game against the Las Vegas Aces at Wintrust Arena.
This stat was pointed out by an account named “I talk hoops” on X, formerly Twitter. Reese herself caught wind of the now-viral post, and she decided to flex the same by re-tweeting the statistical fact.
Angel Reese finished the WNBA season with the highest double-digit scoring rate among all 2024 rookies (.882).✨#WNBA pic.twitter.com/JI1VDNgMPX
— I talk hoops 🏀 (@trendyhoopstars) September 20, 2024
For what it’s worth, Clark, who finished her rookie year with an average of 19.2 points per game (seventh in the entire WNBA), scored in double figures 35 times in 40 games. Her 87.5 percent double-digit rate fell just 0.7 percent behind that of Angel’s.
For her part, Reese got a little bit of backlash after sharing what some fans consider to be a useless stat.
“Lmaooooooooooo come on with the Bs stat man,” a reaction read.
Lmaooooooooooo come on with the Bs stat man
— OTTO (@OTTOFed) September 20, 2024
“Means nothing at all. It’s meaningless…Angel Reese is 1-7 since the break. Her “double doubles” didn’t help the team win and no playoff bound,” said another.
Means nothing at all. It’s meaningless…Angel Reese is 1-7 since the break. Her “double doubles” didn’t help the team win and no playoff bound.
— mason palazzolo (@MasonPalazzolo) September 20, 2024
“By stat padding those game, cost her team a lots of win!” commented a reader.
By stat padding those game, cost her team a lots of win!
— Kings Crown (@WNBARecords) September 20, 2024
There were, of course, more than a few fans who came out to support Reese by congratulating her for this accomplishment, proving once again that the Chicago Sky forward has become one of the most polarizing figures in the WNBA.
