One of the major debates this season has been about who would win the Rookie of the Year award. And the two top contenders for it have been Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark. From setting up new WNBA records to carrying their team to win games, both have been instrumental in attracting fans to the courts and their TVs. Hence, when according to the ESPN rankings, Angel Reese was given the numero uno position in the Rookie rankings, Clark’s fans took it to heart.

“Clark being second and Rikea at 6 is insane,” one user commented. The fan was furious that Reese was occupying the first place in the rankings whereas Clark who had recently broken the WNBA rookie three-pointer record was at the second place. Notably, Caitlin Clark has taken her tally of three-pointers to 88 during the game against the Connecticut Sun, breaking the previous three-pointer record in place by Rhyne Howard (85).

Meanwhile, the fan was also disappointed that the Los Angeles Sparks star Rickea Jackson was in the sixth spot. Jackson was drafted as the fourth overall pick, ahead of Reese, during the 2024 WNBA draft and averages 12.6 points with 3.8 rebounds per game. Other than that, the other WNBA rookies to have a place in the rankings are the New York Liberty’s Leonie Fiebich at 3, the Chicago Sky’s Kamilla Cardoso at 4, the Washington Mystics Aaliyah Edwards at 5, Jackson at 6 and Kate Martin at 7. However. what disappointed fans most was that Clark was behind Reese taking up the second place.

Clark has broken quite a few records this season. Firstly, she became the first W rookie to have a triple-double against the New York Liberty in July. This showed that Clark was ready to be a facilitator just like her NCAA days whenever the situation demanded. Next, relying on her assist-making ability, Caitlin Clark scored the highest assists in the WNBA with 19 against the Dallas Wings later that month. The WNBA then had an Olympic break after which Clark looks to have re-energized.

After the break, Clark broke Ticha Penicheiro’s rookie assists record of 225 assists during a game against the Seattle Storm in August. Not only that, in fact, the Fever are seventh-placed in the WNBA rankings and can make it to the playoffs this year, a feat they haven’t achieved since 2016. Hence, more and more fans showed their dislike for the ESPN rankings.

Fans express discontent over ESPN’s Rookie Rankings

“I love Reese but she’s not the number one rookie. She’s clearly two,” one fan commented. The user specified that though he liked Reese, he did not feel that she could get to the first place instead of Clark. Reese has also worked hard during her time at the W. She broke Candace Parker’s record for most consecutive double-doubles when she hit 15. To top that, after the Olympic break, Reese collected 20 or more rebounds in three consecutive games. But, as per fans, she hasn’t done as much as Clark and hence, the fan was disappointed.

“I’m genuinely curious how people think angels doing better, her teams worse, she can’t even make a layup half the time, I’m confused,” another netizen stated. The social media user pointed out that much of Reese’s rebounds are from her misses and hence, Reese did not deserve to be ahead of Clark in the rankings.

“You all are out of your minds. 1. Clark 2. Jackson 3. Reese,” another fan expresses dissatisfaction at Caitlin Clark occupying the second spot. As per the fan, even Jackson deserved to be ahead of Reese. As mentioned before Jackson averages 12.6 points per game with 3.8 rebounds per game.

“You guys “accidentally” put Caitlin Clark at 2…and Reese at 1!!!🙁,” another fan commented. The user most probably was pointing to the fact that while Clark has been playing it all fair, there have been situations where Reese has accidentally brushed Clark to get the ball. Even in the recent game against the Las Vegas Aces, Reese had pushed her teammate who eventually fell on the Aces star Tiffany Hayes’ knee.

“Ya’ll are bugging. I’m taking Rickae over everyone but CC. CC is clearly 1,” a user enumerated. As per him, Jackson should have been at number 2 and Clark at the top position. Therefore, Clark not getting a chance above Reese was a little weird.

While fans are angry over Clark for not getting her due, hopefully, the final ROTY award will make it clear who deserves it more. Till then both can continue doing what they are best at – breaking records and enchanting followers.