You’ are correct – ESPN REJECTS Angel Reese in a SHOCKING Twist! | HO

The 2024 WNBA season has seen two rising stars, Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark, battle for Rookie of the Year honors. But in a surprising twist, ESPN has shifted its stance, now fully backing Clark for both ROTY and First Team All-WNBA. While Angel Reese had been ESPN’s top pick for much of the season, Caitlin Clark’s record-breaking performances, leading the Indiana Fever to the playoffs, have changed the narrative.

This shocking reversal comes after criticism of ESPN’s initial rankings, and with Reese sidelined due to injury, Clark seems poised to take home the trophy. Watch as we break down ESPN’s decision and hear from both Clark and analysts about this heated race.

In a dramatic turn of events, ESPN has seemingly shifted its favor from Angel Reese to Caitlyn Clark, changing the Rookie of the Year narrative entirely. The network, which had consistently backed Reese throughout much of the season, is now hailing Clark as the new frontrunner for the prestigious award. But how did this sudden shift occur, and what does it mean for the future of both athletes?

Caitlyn Clark, the Indiana Fever sensation, has taken the WNBA by storm. As a rookie, Clark has broken records and generated an immense buzz around the league. Her stats speak for themselves: she’s averaging 23.4 points and 10.6 assists per game, and she’s the first rookie in WNBA history to record two triple-doubles in a season. More than just numbers, Clark has elevated her entire team, pushing the Indiana Fever to their first playoff appearance since 2016.

But it’s not just about her individual success. Clark’s presence has also boosted the WNBA’s visibility, bringing in new fans and increasing arena attendance both at home and on the road. The Fever’s games, particularly those featuring Clark, have been selling out as fans flock to see the rookie in action. Her influence is undeniable, and the media, including ESPN, has taken notice.

For much of the 2024 season, Angel Reese was considered the clear favorite for the Rookie of the Year award. After all, she had been dominating the Chicago Sky’s offense, often running the plays through her, and setting records for consecutive double-doubles. ESPN, in particular, had been a strong advocate for Reese, consistently ranking her as the number one rookie throughout the year.

However, everything changed in late August. Caitlyn Clark’s performances, particularly her contribution to the Fever’s playoff push, started to outshine Reese’s achievements. By August 29, ESPN published a report still favoring Reese as the top rookie. But by early September, the network had made a surprising U-turn, declaring Clark as the unanimous Rookie of the Year and placing her in the All-WNBA First Team.

This shift came shortly after Reese’s season was cut short due to a wrist injury. Fans and pundits alike began questioning whether Reese’s injury had truly been the reason for her decline in form or if she had simply been overshadowed by Clark’s dominance. Reese, once viewed as the next big thing in the WNBA, suddenly found herself in a tough position as the conversation shifted to Clark’s accomplishments.

Reese’s wrist injury, which has sidelined her for the remainder of the season, has been the subject of much speculation. Some fans and media outlets have suggested that there may be more to the injury than Reese is letting on. Conspiracy theories have surfaced, questioning whether Reese is faking or exaggerating the injury to avoid the embarrassment of being outplayed by Clark.

Adding fuel to the fire, Reese’s own comments during a press conference didn’t help clarify the situation. She initially didn’t mention the injury at all, leaving many wondering if she was attempting to downplay it. But when she later announced that she would need surgery to avoid long-term damage, including the risk of arthritis at just 22 years old, the skepticism only grew. Some fans pointed out that despite claiming to have a fractured wrist, Reese was still seen hitting the floor with that same wrist during a game.

Regardless of the truth behind the injury, Reese’s absence from the court has had a significant impact on the Chicago Sky. While the team has continued to struggle, there’s no denying that losing their star rookie has hurt their playoff chances.

The media, and particularly ESPN, have played up the rivalry between Clark and Reese since both players entered the WNBA. Fans have drawn comparisons between the two, with some likening the rivalry to famous NBA matchups like Michael Jordan vs. Dennis Rodman or Kobe Bryant vs. Ben Wallace.

However, in recent weeks, the narrative has shifted dramatically in Clark’s favor. ESPN analysts like Chiney Ogwumike have openly praised Clark, calling her the clear Rookie of the Year. Ogwumike even went as far as to say that Clark is on pace to generate the most points in WNBA history, solidifying her case for the award.

Interestingly, despite the media frenzy around the Rookie of the Year race, Clark herself has downplayed its significance. In a recent interview, she emphasized that her focus is on helping her team win games, not on individual accolades. “You don’t wake up thinking about individual awards,” Clark said. “Our focus is on winning basketball games. It’s as simple as that.”

Reese, on the other hand, has been more vocal about the challenges she’s faced, both on and off the court. In addition to dealing with her injury, she has spoken out about the racism she believes she faces as a successful Black woman in the WNBA. In an interview, Reese acknowledged the difficulties that come with fame, stating, “I’d rather be rich than famous.”

As Reese recovers from her wrist surgery, the future remains uncertain for the Chicago Sky star. While she’s certainly talented, the 2024 season has exposed some vulnerabilities in her game. For instance, she has struggled with her shooting, and her team has underperformed despite her individual success.

Off the court, Reese has been busy building her brand, launching a podcast, attending high-profile events, and securing endorsements. Some critics have suggested that Reese may be spreading herself too thin, focusing more on her off-court endeavors than her basketball career.

This dual focus on basketball and branding has left some fans wondering if Reese is considering a future beyond the WNBA. In her own words, Reese said, “I want to continue to normalize fashion in women’s basketball… Women can do the same things men can do.” She’s clearly thinking about life beyond the court, but whether that will hurt or help her basketball career remains to be seen.

With Angel Reese sidelined for the rest of the season and Caitlyn Clark leading the Indiana Fever into the playoffs, the Rookie of the Year race seems all but decided. Clark has not only proven herself to be the top rookie but also one of the best players in the entire league.

For Reese, the challenge now is to recover from her injury and come back stronger next season. Whether she can reclaim her spot as one of the WNBA’s brightest stars remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the rivalry between her and Clark is far from over.

In the meantime, all eyes are on Caitlyn Clark as she continues to break records and lead the Fever to new heights. As ESPN and the rest of the sports world shift their focus to Clark, it’s safe to say that the WNBA has found its next superstar.