ESPN expert Monica McNutt received criticism for her explanation of why Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese is her pick for WNBA Rookie of the Year instead of the Indiana Fever's Caitlin Clark.
McNutt said Friday on “Get Up” that he would choose Reese for the award because of the Sky's place in the WNBA standings.
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Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever and Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky during a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 16, 2024, in Indianapolis. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
“My Rookie of the Year award will be based on standings, because I think that's how you measure impact,” McNutt said. “And the Sky are in the playoffs right now, so you have to give the nod, in my opinion, to Angel Reese.”
McNutt also highlighted Reese's double-double streak, which stood at 11 when she spoke on ESPN's show. She also noted the lack of All-Stars who were on the team when Reese was selected.
As for Indiana, McNutt said the Fever already have the building blocks in place. Aliyah Boston was last season's top draft pick and the 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year, and Kelsey Mitchell was already averaging nearly 20 points per game.
Sky's Angel Reese and Indiana Fever's Caitlin Clark during their game on June 23, 2024 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. (Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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But fans who have followed the WNBA this season because of Clark and Reese questioned McNutt's reasoning and took to social media to express their opinion.
Since McNutt's comments, Clark became the first WNBA rookie to record a triple-double, while Reese extended her double-double streak to 12 games.
Angel Reese of the Sky will join Indiana Fever's Caitlin Clark and NaLyssa Smith on June 23, 2024 at Chicago's Wintrust Arena. (Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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As of Sunday, both teams are in the top eight of the WNBA standings and could make the playoffs.
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