Even in the game where Angel Reese was ejected, his impact was undeniable. The Chicago Sky rookie was ejected for a second technical with just over two minutes left in Tuesday’s loss to the New York Liberty. Her second foul was overturned a day later by the WNBA.
However, Reese had already posted 13 points and 10 rebounds, recording his second double-double. It’s the kind of stat Chicago already expects from the No. 7 pick in April’s draft. Reese has been a consistent contributor in the first month of the WNBA season, but she’s not alone among members of her rookie class.
From their final college seasons to the WNBA Draft to the start of their professional careers, these rookies have brought new star power and an intriguing dynamic to the league. They are solving problems while adapting to a higher level, but there is no doubt that they are achieving significant results.
Feeling the love, Skytown 💙 pic.twitter.com/nK2wIbN9lR
—Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) May 26, 2024
Even though it feels like the year has just begun, somehow, some franchises are already past the quarter-mark of their seasons. With that said, here’s our look at the five best rookies from the first month of the season.
15.6 PPG | 6.4 APG | 5.1 Role playing
Clark has been the center of attention during her first month in the WNBA, especially this past week. But despite some difficulties, she still found a way to produce. She is aggressive in attacking the basket, already attempting 48 free throws, which are seventh-most in the WNBA. She also made an impact on Indiana’s offense despite not making 3-pointers at nearly the same clip as Iowa’s. Reese certainly made a case for the top spot, but Clark also has significantly more defensive pressure than any rookie. Her 25.8% usage rate is higher than that of WNBA stars like Skylar Diggins-Smith, Breanna Stewart, Kelsey Plum and Sabrina Ionescu. She showed growing pains and reasons for optimism. A focus in June should be on reducing turnovers, as Clark leads the league (56) and has 21 more than Phoenix Mercury guard Natasha Cloud, who is second.
GO DEEPER
Has Caitlin Clark lived up to expectations so far in her rookie WNBA season? Debate among experts
2. Angel Reese, Chicago Sky
10.8 points | 9.0 Role Playing Game | 5.0 ORPG
At LSU, Reese recorded double-doubles almost every night. So far she’s come very close. Entering Thursday night’s matchup against the Washington Mystics, Reese had recorded at least 8 points and 8 rebounds in six of his eight games.
Reese’s impact on Chicago was tangible. She leads all rookies with 9 rebounds per game and leads all WNBA players with her average of 5 offensive rebounds per game. Sky coach Teresa Weatherspoon, a Naismith Hall of Fame player, appreciated what Reese offers, especially on the glass.
“He’s a talent,” Weatherspoon said two weeks ago. “He IS simply relentless. “He chases the ball relentlessly and that’s who he is, that’s what he’s about.”
Reese often establishes a high-quality rebounding position and is aggressive in attacking the rim if she isn’t getting picked off by opposing bigs. Offensively, she’s already shown she’s not afraid of contact, attempting at least six free throws in six separate games.
Reese’s impact has been evident despite the other limitations of his game, making his first month particularly impressive.
So far, almost all of his offense has come down to the wire. According to Synergy Sports, he has attempted just nine jump shots this season, making only one. Even around the basket he struggled, shooting 29.9%. However, downplaying Reese’s importance is a goal for Sky’s opponents.
Improving his perimeter shooting and ability to finish at the basket will be fundamental to his growth. Chicago guard Marina Mabrey also assisted Reese on just six baskets, indicating there is room for improvement in Chicago’s pick-and-roll action. But if that’s Reese’s idea, the Sky have plenty of reason to be optimistic about their future.
8.0 PPG | 5.4 Role playing | 2.6BPG
Brink, like Reese and Clark, showed flashes of the skills that made her a star at Stanford. Although the Sparks are just 2-7, Brink scored 21 points in 23 minutes against the Dallas Wings on May 26, and had at least 5 rebounds six times. Coach Curt Miller has not expanded the use of the No. 1 pick. 2. Brink has yet to play more than 30 minutes in a game but has shown off his offensive repertoire. She has been solid in catch-and-shoot opportunities and appears comfortable at the rim, shooting 63 percent from the field, according to Synergy Sports. Even though Brink earned a reputation as a renowned shot blocker in college (and is averaging 2.6 blocks per game thus far), some opposing bigs have managed to match her. Brink allows the bigs she’s guarding to shoot 43.9%.
Despite somewhat limited minutes, Rickea Jackson’s 3-point shooting and rebounding stood out. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
9.1 PPG | 3.0 Role Playing Game | 46.7 FG
Jackson played fewer minutes (208) than anyone in my current top five, but he took advantage of his opportunities. He’s tied for the third-most 3-pointers (seven) among rookies, but he’s shooting the second-best percentage of any rookie with at least 10 attempts (only Alissa Pili is better). She was a solid rebounder (3.0 per game) and showed she could score in several facets. Sometimes that took the form of being aggressive in transition, other times from behind the arc or cutting to the rim. She has made at least 50% of her shot attempts in five of nine games, although she has done so only once when she was inserted into the starting lineup on May 28.
6.6 PPG | 5.0 APG | 2.6 Role playing
Uzun will make her WNBA debut this summer, but she’s no stranger to playing with — and against — some of the best competition in the world. The 26-year-old guard spent last winter playing for Turkish EuroLeague champion Fenerbahçe, where she played alongside such notables as Napheesa Collier, Kayla McBride, Natasha Howard, Nina Milic and Emma Meesseman. Uzun made the Wings’ opening night roster after signing a training camp contract and was inserted into the franchise’s starting lineup.
From the start, she was given the task of getting the best out of a team with four main aspirations. Uzun is averaging 31.3 minutes per game, second on the roster and second among rookies behind Clark. While she is continuing to figure out how to play alongside Arike Ogunbowale, the early results are positive. Twelve of Uzun’s 40 assists went to Ogunbowale, and she also found Dallas bigs Teaira McCowan and Monique Billings on multiple occasions. In addition to her offensive playmaking, the 5-foot-10 Uzun has been an excellent defender thus far, with opponents shooting just 28.6 percent on the shots she is protecting, according to Synergy Sports.
— Women’s Hoops (@womenhoop) June 6, 2024
Play boldly on both fronts. Exhibit A: It didn’t go down, but she nearly made the shot of the year when she lofted a rebound from Sun center Brionna Jones with under 10 seconds remaining in a one-point game, collected her pass and knocked it pulled. .
Others considered: Julie Vanloo (Mystics), Pili (Lynx), Aaliyah Edwards (Mystics), Kate Martin (Las Vegas Aces)
(Top photo of Caitlin Clark, left, and Angel Reese: Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
