Who will win WNBA Rookie of the Year? A star-studded class headlined by Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Cameron Brink is adding even more excitement to the 2024 WNBA season. The youngsters are also creating a fascinating battle for the WNBA’s Rookie of the Year honors.
Clark obviously has the most fan support, but Reese and Brink are each making significant impacts in their seasons in the W. We’re also witnessing some unheralded players step up in their rookie seasons that deserve more attention.
Related: WNBA power rankings 2024
Let’s dive into the WNBA Rookie of the Year race. We’ll update our rankings every few weeks. Statistics via Basketball Reference and WNBA.com.
WNBA rookie rankings: Evaluating WNBA Rookie of the Year candidates
1. Angel Reese, PF, Chicago Sky (Previously: 2nd)
| GP / MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | BPG | SPG | TS% | WS/48 | Net Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 / 30.8 | 13.3 | 11.4 | 1.9 | 0.1 | 1.5 | .475 | .171 | 2.3 |
| PPG | RPG | APG | BPG | SPG | FG% | MPG | ||
| June | 14.5 | 13.2 | 1.8 | 0.2 | 1.6 | .406 | 32 |
Among the many reasons Angel Reese is the front-runner for WNBA Rookie of the Year is the history she’s made. Chicago’s rookie became the first player in WNBA history to record 10 consecutive double-doubles in a single season. Prior to Reese, Candace Parker (nine) held the record. Reese also leads the WNBA in rebounding (11.4 RPG) and she is one of just four players (A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier and Dearica Hamby) to average a double-double this season. Reese was a steal at the 7th overall pick and she’s been the best WNBA rookie so far.
Related: WNBA power rankings 2024
2. Caitlin Clark, PG, Indiana Fever (Previously: 1st)
| GP / MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | BPG | SPG | TS% | WS/48 | Net Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 / 34.3 | 16.2 | 5.7 | 6.9 | 0.9 | 1.4 | .572 | .017 | -8.1 |
| PPG | RPG | APG | BPG | SPG | FG% | MPG | ||
| June | 15.0 | 6.1 | 7.2 | 0.6 | 1.5 | .411 | 35.3 |
Caitlin Clark drops a spot in our WNBA rookie rankings, but she’s still proven to be an emerging star in the league. In Sunday’s win over the Phoenix Mercury, Clark wasn’t shooting well but she almost finished with a triple-double. Clark has really stepped things up as a facilitator, averaging 9 assists per game in her last six contests (June 16-30). Currently third in the WNBA in assists per game, Clark has a legitimate chance to lead the WNBA in dimes and she should start setting back in as a scorer soon.
Related: Indiana Fever game today, how to watch Caitlin Clark
3. Aaliyah Edwards, SF, Washington Mystics (Previously: Unranked)
| GP / MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | BPG | SPG | TS% | WS/48 | Net Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 / 23.4 | 8.8 | 6.3 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 0.8 | .540 | .121 | -4.6 |
| PPG | RPG | APG | BPG | SPG | FG% | MPG | ||
| June |
Little flashes turned into more consistent bursts of promise from the Washington Mystics rookie in June. Aaliyah Edwards shot 55.2 percent from the field, while averaging 11.1 points and 8.4 rebounds per game in June. The 6-foot-3 forward also averaged over 2 blocks+steals per game this past month. While it still isn’t translating to many wins for Washington, Edwards hs really stepped up her game in recent weeks and looks more comfortable at the WNBA level.
Related: Indiana Fever attendance 2024
4. Kamilla Cardoso, C, Chicago Sky (Previously: 4th)
| GP / MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | BPG | SPG | TS% | WS/48 | Net Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 / 25.0 | 8.4 | 7.5 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 0.2 | .486 | .083 | -2.6 |
The past few weeks have not been Kamilla Cardoso at her best. While teammate Angel Reese is dominating, Cardoso is shooting just 41.2 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from the free-throw line. Chicago’s 6-foot-7 center is also getting outrebounded by Reese and she is having less of an impact on the defensive end than expected. We’ve seen more than enough from Cardoso to know she’ll dig out of this skid and when she and Reese are both playing well, Chicago will look good.
Related: WNBA TV ratings
5. Rickea Jackson, F, Los Angeles Sparks (Previously: Unranked)
| GP / MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | BPG | SPG | TS% | WS/48 | Net Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 / 23.7 | 10.1 | 3.4 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 0.6 | .555 | .015 | -12.7 |
| PPG | RPG | APG | BPG | SPG | FG% | MPG | ||
| June | 10.0 | 4.0 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 0.6 | .444 | 23.6 |
The season-ending injury to Cameron Brink, previously third in our WNBA rookie rankings, does open the door a bit for Rickea Jackson. Selected with the 4th overall pick by the Los Angeles Sparks, the 6-foot-2 forward has settled in over the past month. Jackson scored in double-figures five times in 11 games, while shooting 44.4 percent from the field. Scoring is really all Jackson is bringing right now, but her first career 20-point game could happen in July.
Just Missed: Cameron Brink, PF, Los Angeles Sparks; Julie Vanloo, G, Washington Alissa Pili, F, Minnesota Lynx
WNBA Rookie of the Year winners
- 2023: Aliyah Boston, Indiana Fever
- 2022: Rhyne Howard, Atlanta Dream
- 2021: Michaela Onyenwere, New York Liberty
- 2020: Crystal Dangerfield, Minnesota Lynx
- 2019: Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx
- 2018: A’ja Wilson, Las Begas Aces
- 2017: Alisha Gray, Dallas Wings
- 2016: Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm
- 2015: Jewell Lloyd, Seattle Storm
- 2014: Chiney Ogwumike, Connecticut Sun
Related: WNBA games today
WNBA Rookie of the Year odds 2024
Here are the latest WNBA ROY odds from FanDuel as of July 1.
- Caitlin Clark – -600
- Angel Reese – +400
- Rickea Jackson – +15000
- Aliyah Edwards – +15000
- Jacy Sheldon – +20000