Though she's broken WNBA milestone records over her last four games and led the Indiana Fever to their first playoff appearance in eight years, the WNBA Rookie of the Year debate isn't over yet.
Former NBA All-Star Joakim Noah told Fox News Digital during an interview during NBA Night at the Emirates Suite at the U.S. Open on Wednesday that if he had the vote, he would vote for Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese for Rookie of the Year over Clark.
“I would say Angel Reese,” Noah said.
But Noah's choice of Reese isn't based on statistical arguments. The 6-foot-11 Noah likes the fact that the 6-foot-3 Reese plays more like him than the 6-foot-0 Clark.
“Watching her play reminds me of myself,” Noah said.
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Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) aims for a pass during the first half against the Las Vegas Aces at Wintrust Arena. (Kamil Krzaczynski-USA Today Sports)
Reese has the advantage of being three inches bigger, but he hasn't outperformed Clark in nearly every statistical metric this year. Clark has averaged better points, assists, steals, blocks and all shooting percentages.
But Reese has a huge advantage when it comes to rebounding. With 13.2 rebounds per game, Reese is more than double Clark's current 5.8.
The Fever have beaten the Sky three of four times this year in head-to-head meetings, with Reese outscoring Clark in two of those meetings and outrebounding Clark in all four meetings. Clark also had more assists in all four meetings.
Reese has a height advantage over Clark, which resulted in the Sky rookie finishing strong in the paint and some very physical blocks and block attempts. There were also instances where hard fouls were called for Reese's defense on Clark. In a June 16 game, when Clark went for a layup, Reese's arms were not long enough to block the shot and instead hit Clark in the head from above, resulting in a flagrant point.
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In the most famous matchup between the two players, the 2023 NCAA women's final, Reese used her size to overpower Clark, finishing with 15 points and 10 rebounds while Clark scored 30. Reese led LSU to a dominant 102-85 victory over Clark and Iowa.
With the pros currently competing for Rookie of the Year, Clark's offensive prowess and team success make him the favorite to win the award with six games remaining in the season.
Still, Reese has his supporters and may receive some votes for the award.
Noah is one of them, and he has boasted a stat line closer to Reese's than Clark's during his career as a defensive center. Noah, who played for the Chicago Bulls from 2007-2016, freely admits that his own biases influenced his award selection.
Caitlin Clark drives to the basket against Chicago Sky guard Lindsay Allen during the first half at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski – USA TODAY Sports (Kamil Krzaczynski-USA Today Sports)
“She's Chicago Sky and I'm Chicago,” Noah said.
Noah got to see first-hand what it was like to be a standout young player who, at least at that point, was better than his peers: When Derrick Rose was drafted No. 1 by the Bulls in 2009, Noah watched his young teammate have a dominant Rookie of the Year campaign and, at age 22, become the youngest player ever to win the league's MVP award in 2011.
Still, even Noah might have to admit that Rose, who was 6-foot-3 and a prolific scorer, had a lot more in common with Clark than he did with Reese at the time.
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Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever and Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky watch a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 1, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
On Wednesday night, Clark recorded her second career triple-double against the Los Angeles Sparks and became the fastest player in WNBA history to make 100 three-pointers in a season.
On Sunday against the Dallas Wings, Clark recorded her 595th career point, surpassing WNBA legend Tamika Catchings' record and becoming the most points scored in a single season by a rookie in Fever history.
On Friday against the Sky, Clark became the first player in WNBA history to record 30 points and 12 assists, becoming just the fifth player and first rookie to record 30+ points and 10+ assists in a single game.
Just three days earlier, Clark had set the record for most 3-pointers made by a rookie, surpassing the mark originally set by the Atlanta Dreams' Rhyne Howard.
“That being said, Caitlin Clark is a tremendous player,” Noah said after nominating Reese for Rookie of the Year honors. “She's making this business bigger.”
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