As we are nearing halfway through the WNBA season, there is a lot of talk about who could win the Rookie of the Year. Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have built on a solid fan following that has had sold-out games for both the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky. Hence as the season progresses, there is already palpable tension among the enthusiasts and analysts on who could clinch the Rookie of the Year. Previously, Stephen A. Smith had agreed with Shannon Sharpe that Reese could sweep the award and now a celebrated journalist has come forward to back Smith’s take.

Callie Lawson-Freeman was present during an episode of On Her Turf by NBC News when she reflected on who could win the coveted award. She gave the same answer as Smith on Tuesday with her reasons.

Callie Lawson-Freeman stands tall with Angel Reese

“Between the two of them…I think Angel has the edge right now, right now. And I want to emphasize right now because this could change at any moment…she’s the only rookie in the league above 20 minutes per game with a positive net rating,” Freeman stated, via NBC News. For the record, Reese has played 30.5 minutes per game and has a net rating of +3.5.

“I’m pushing Angel Reese as Rookie of the Year. It’s because that… she’s making the Sky better and it’s like…it’s historic. I mean we talk about how this is probably another thing that you were going to bring up but first rookie with 25 points and 15 rebounds Sunday night since A’ja Wilson,” Freeman continued.

Notably, the Sky had an 18-22 tally last season but this year they have been performing better and will make it to the playoffs with a 6-9 stat. Hence, they look to be progressing better than the Indiana Fever which is posited as the ninth seed, one below Chicago, and has a 7-11 stat. Plus, she became the first rookie since 2018 to have 25 points and 15 rebounds by scoring 25 points and 16 rebounds in the game against the Fever. Wilson too had made a place for herself in that coveted list.

Freeman also stated that just Wilson had won the MVP twice in 2020 and 2022. Similarly, Reese could have a likely trajectory and she too could become one of the heavy names in the league. Meanwhile, Smith had also chosen Reese over Clark.

Stephen A. Smith reckons Angel Reese should win Rookie of the Year

Smith was present on the ESPN show First Take with Sharpe and both chose Reese over Clark. He had justified his selection by stating that Reese had her eighth consecutive double-double during the game against the Fever on Sunday. Reese had also scripted history by becoming the second WNBA rookie pair along with Kamilla Cardoso since 1998 to have a double-double more than once in the league. All this had prompted Smith to side with Reese.

Another panelist on the show LaChina Robinson had enumerated that though Chicago was rebuilding its team, with Reese they were performing better than the Indiana Fever. Another major thing she pointed out was that the Sky have a new coach in Teresa Weatherspoon who is on her maiden season with Reese & Co. but has still delivered when the situation demanded.

Now that multiple people have come forward to support Reese, fans would be happy to see their idol as the Rookie of the Year. It remains to be seen if Freeman’s words about Reese emulating a career similar to Wilson’s will come true. And lastly, Reese’s admirers would want to see her in a more mainstay role for the Sky as they battle against top teams in the playoffs. 

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.