In the ongoing race for the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year, all eyes are on Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark and Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese. The competition remains tight as the league approaches its All-Star break, but NBA icon Shaquille O’Neal has made his choice clear: Reese.
O’Neal, a longtime friend of Reese dating back to her standout days at LSU, emphasized her strong debut season in the WNBA.
“I’m not just saying this because she went to LSU; I believe she’s leading in the Rookie of the Year race,” O’Neal stated. “I give my vote to Angel.”
Despite endorsing Reese, O’Neal acknowledged Clark’s impact and likened her to NBA star Steph Curry.
“Caitlin is a phenomenal player, the female Steph Curry,” O’Neal added. “Both Caitlin and Angel have significantly elevated the game, leveraging social media and various media platforms to enhance its visibility.”
Angel Reese has maintained impressive stats with averages of 13.5 points and 12 rebounds per game across 23 appearances. Recently, her performance drew comparisons to O’Neal’s rookie season, where she secured 16 double-doubles in 22 starts, trailing only O’Neal’s 19 in the same span.
The race for WNBA Rookie of the Year continues to captivate fans and analysts alike as both players leave an indelible mark on the league.
