While it seems almost a given that the Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark, the top overall pick of the 2024 WNBA Draft, will claim the league’s Rookie of the Year award, her biggest challenger was her biggest rival in college.
Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky posted a historic rookie season that broke numerous league records. However, that season came to an end when she suffered a season-ending wrist injury on Friday. She was also a contender for the Rookie of the Year award, but her absence over the final six games has made Clark an overwhelming favorite to claim the trophy.
Ever since the 2023 NCAA Tournament, the names of Reese and Clark have been inseparable. Anytime one did or said something notable, the media often wanted to hear a response from the other, and that’s the case with Reese’s injury. Clark was asked to share her thoughts on her fellow rookie’s season being over in a press conference before Indiana’s 104–100 overtime victory over the Atlanta Dream on Sunday.
“For me, getting to play against her, her motor is up there, if not the best in the league. She just doesn’t stop working. Congratulations to her, I thought she had a tremendous year. I thought she came into the league and did what she’s done well her entire career and as long as I’ve known her. So, it’s definitely devastating and never anything you wanna see from a player.”
Clark mentioned Los Angeles Sparks rookie Cameron Brink and said that their rookie class has been hit with multiple injuries. Brink was selected right after Clark, second overall, but her rookie year ended after 15 games due to a torn ACL. Additionally, Kamilla Cardoso, Reese’s Sky teammate who was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, missed the first six games of the year due to a preseason shoulder injury.
Clark has been fortunate to avoid any injuries, outside of the normal wear and tear that professional athletes go through. She has been durable not just in the WNBA but also through her collegiate career as she never missed a game while at the University of Iowa and hasn’t missed a game with the Fever, despite ranking second in the WNBA in both minutes per game and total minutes played.
She discussed her process when it comes to injuries and how she’s been able to dodge them as a pro.
“For myself, some of those things you can’t avoid. ... That’s kinda what comes with basketball at times,” stated Clark. “It’s sad for [Brink and Reese], but at the same time for myself, it’s continue to take care of your body, take care of yourself. It becomes a long season, especially when you’re playing games with one day in between. You really have to prioritize that. But some of those things are just unavoidable, and it’s sad to see.”
Also sad for WNBA fans is that they won’t get another game between Clark and Reese this season. While their respective teams didn’t have any more scheduled contests between now and the end of the regular season, there was always the chance that they could have met in the playoffs, which would have marked the third straight postseason that the two collided.
Clark’s Fever have already clinched a playoff berth and are currently the sixth seed, though they could rise as high as the No. 4 seed. Meanwhile, Reese’s Sky haven’t clinched a postseason spot yet but are currently the No. 8 seed, with the top eight teams in the WNBA standings advancing to the playoffs.
Unrivaled was started by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier to occur during the WNBA offseason and will feature 30 players. However, fans hoping to see Reese and Clark match up in that league may not get that chance, as Clark has yet to commit to playing in the league.
