Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark stirred the whole world with their championship matchup in 2023. Following this historic moment, women’s basketball has seen immense popularity. Now stepping into the WNBA, the rookies have different goals for their teams. Chicago Sky part owner Dwyane Wade recently revealed what the 2× SEC All-Defensive Team member is aiming for.

Even before the WNBA draft, Wade shared that Bayou Barbie was the fitting player for Sky. Speaking of the 22-year-old player’s aims, Wade explained how Reese wants to become a good teammate. “She’s owning it. She is owning who she is. She wants to be great and she wants to be a great teammate,” the Miami Heat champ said in a conversation with CBS. She is setting new records. In a game against Seattle Storm, Reese made her 13th consecutive double-double and then a total of 16 to break WNBA star Candace Parker’s record. 

He further added how their conversation is always focused on how to enhance her impact and said, “And so, our conversations, when we do talk, it’s about that and giving her that confidence to continue to be that.”

The Reese and Clark rivalry has people talking, driving ticket sales to new heights, and boosting merchandise sales. Clark secured a $28 million shoe deal with Nike while Reese inked a deal with Reebok. Clark is set to release her signature shoes by 2026 while Reese’s shoes are also expected to be released soon.

“The women showed up when the lights were the brightest and that started back last year when Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark had that national championship moment,” the 3x NBA champ said. This is the impact everyone is talking about. But, after their ascend to the W, who has the better chance to win the ultimate honor for the rookies?

Angel Reese vs. Caitlin Clark in the ROTY race

LA Sparks rookie Cameron Brink is sidelined for the rest of the season due to her ACL injury. This leaves Reese and Caitlin as the heavy favorites for the Rookie of the Year contenders.

The Fever rookie has been leading in assists, elevating her team from 11th to 6th position in assists this year. Clark’s record in APG might soon break the record of 7.5 APG set by Ticha Penicheiro in 1998. On the other hand, Reese has definitely set a benchmark with her double-doubles. She has averaged 4.7 offensive rebounds per game. She also leads the league in rebounds, surpassing elite rebounders like A’ja Wilson. The problem with Reese is her low shooting percentage. 

She is shooting 34.5% from the field and would need to increase it to 50% to make a strong point for herself. Furthermore, both teams are fighting for playoff spots, which will probably play a role as well. Amidst the growing attention to women’s basketball, the rookies are surely bringing a new twist.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.