Even before Angel Reese went down with a season-ending injury, the Rookie of the Year race was already leaning significantly in favor of Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark. Now that the Chicago Sky rookie has been shut down for the rest of the year due to a wrist injury, the general belief is that Clark will be lifting the trophy at the end of the season.
For former two-time WNBA All-Star Chiney Ogwumike, the debate is already over. On Tuesday, September 10, right after it was announced that Clark had been named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week for a third consecutive week, Ogwumike dropped the mic on Caitlin’s ROTY bid.
LA Sparks forward Chiney Ogwumike (13) shoots the ball against Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson (22).
“She is the Rookie of the Year,” Ogwumike said. “… That was a close race leading into the Olympics, but right now, she’s on pace to generate the most points in WNBA history. … Give that woman her trophy.
“Shout out to Angel. I know we have to compare because she’s done some great historical numbers, too, but these numbers are undeniable.
“Caitlin Clark, Rookie of the Year. There you go. Stop asking me on Twitter.”
ESPNs Chiney Ogwumike says:
CAITLINS ROOKIE OF THE YEAR!! LEAVE ME ALONE TWITTER!! #WNBA #FeverRisingpic.twitter.com/bpi9lDTZ7t— Ken Swift (@kenswift) September 10, 2024
As Ogwumike stated, Reese also deserves to get her flowers. After all, the former LSU star has had an incredible year herself.
At the end of the day, however, it has become clear that Caitlin Clark has done more than enough to secure the esteemed title. At this point, it feels like it’s only a matter of time before she is officially named the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year.
