Breaking all-time WNBA records in each of her last four games and leading the Indiana Fever to their first playoff appearance in eight years hasn't settled the WNBA Rookie of the Year debate for everyone.
Former NBA All-Star Joakim Noah told Fox News Digital that he would vote for Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese over Clark for Rookie of the Year if he could decide, during an interview on NBA Night at the Emirates Suite at the US Open on Wednesday.
“I would say Angel Reese,” Noah said.
Noah's argument for Reese isn't based on any statistical arguments, though. The 6-foot-10 Noah likes the fact that the 6-foot-3 Reese plays more like him than the 6-foot-10 Clark.
“When I watch her play, she reminds me a lot of myself,” Noah said.
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Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) looks to pass the ball against the Las Vegas Aces during the first half at Wintrust Arena. (Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports)
Reese's three-inch advantage hasn't put her above Clark in almost every statistical outcome this year. Clark has the better averages in terms of points, assists, steals, blocks and all shooting percentages.
But Reese has a drastic advantage in terms of rebounding. At 13.2 rebounds per game, Reese more than doubles Clark's current 5.8 rebounds per game.
In head-to-head meetings this year, the Fever have beaten the Sky three of four times. In two of those meetings, Reese scored more points than Clark and grabbed more rebounds than Clark in all four meetings. Clark had more assists in all four meetings.
Reese’s height advantage over Clark has resulted in the Sky rookie having better shots in the paint and some very physical blocks and block attempts. In some cases, hard fouls have also been called against Reese for her defense on Clark. In a June 16 game, Clark was going for a layup, Reese didn’t have the size to block the shot, but was called for a flagrant foul when she hit Clark in the head from above.
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In the most famous matchup between the two players (the 2023 NCAA women's title game), Reese used her size superiority to outscore Clark, scoring 15 points and 10 rebounds while Clark scored 30 points. Reese led LSU to a convincing 102-85 win over Clark and Iowa.
Now, as the pros compete for Rookie of the Year honors, Clark's superior offensive numbers and team success have put her in pole position to win the award with just six games remaining in the season.
Still, Reese has his supporters and could still receive votes for the award from some.
Noah is one of them, having had statistics more similar to Reese than Clark during his career as a center defender. Having starred with the Chicago Bulls from 2007-2016, Noah has also openly said that his bias has affected his choice of the award.
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, I'm Chicago,” Noah said.
Noah has seen up close what a transcendent young player who stands above his peers looks like, at least at the time. In 2009, when Derrick Rose came to the Bulls as the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, Noah watched his young teammate put together a dominant Rookie of the Year campaign and then become the league’s youngest MVP in 2011 at the age of 22.
Still, even Noah would have to admit that the 6-foot-3, goal-scoring Rose had a lot more in common with Clark than he did with Reese in those days.
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Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever and Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky look on during the game on June 1, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
On Wednesday night, Clark became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 100 three-pointers in a season with her second career triple-double against the LA Sparks.
On Sunday against the Dallas Wings, Clark scored her 595th career point, surpassing WNBA legend Tamika Catchings for the most in a single season by a rookie in History of fever.
In Friday's game against the Sky, Clark had the first 30-point, 12-assist game in WNBA history and became the fifth player, and the first rookie, to record at least 30 points and 10 assists in a game.
Just three days earlier, Clark had set the record for most three-pointers made by a rookie, surpassing the mark initially set by Atlanta Dreams Actor Rhyne Howard became a film actor in 1963.
“That being said, Caitlin Clark is a beast,” Noah said after making his case for Reese as Rookie of the Year. “She's making this a much bigger deal.”
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