It’s official! Caitlin Clark is the WNBA Rookie of the Year, as the league announced a few minutes ago. The former Iowa Hawkeyes player rewrote the WNBA record books both on and off the field with her logo 3s and eye-catching displays in her first season for the Indiana Fever. Hence, it was no surprise that she won the award for the league’s best rookie. But was a surprise that it wasn’t unanimous with one vote going to Angel Reese.

The Fever and Sky rookies had been in competition for ROTY when the season began. But as it progressed, it became clear that Clark, the first-ever rookie to record a triple-double was pulling ahead. Reese’s season-ending injury didn’t help her or her team’s cause and it seemed ominous who could take the top rookie prize home.

However, Clark received 66 out of 67 first-place votes, one of which, surprisingly, went to Angel Reese. Both players broke multiple records, making their case stronger with every game. On July 17 vs. the Wings, Clark recorded the most assists in a game in WNBA history with 19 assists. She wrapped up her rookie season by holding the single-season rookie scoring record (769) and had the most assists in a single season in the league’s history (337) her 122 threes were the second-most in league history and the most ever recorded by a rookie in one season.

Reese, meanwhile, broke the all-time rookie record for consecutive games with 10 or more rebounds. She also finished the season with 26 double-doubles, the most ever by a rookie. Still, Clark’s eye-catching season meant, there was little chance of anybody else getting a look in. Clark was already unanimously named the AP Rookie of the Year on September 22 and hence the fact her WNBA didn’t follow suit will raise a few eyebrows. As for who gave their vote to Sky’s No. 3, well there is some speculation.

The panel that carries out the vote is comprised of national sportswriters and sportscasters. As the news of the Clark’s non-unanimous win spread, netizens started taking a guess as to who denied the Fever rookie an outright win. Many have pointed fingers at Cindy Brunson, a Phoenix Mercury commentator, for keeping Clark from becoming the unanimous ROTY.

Brunson, who is known for her work with ESPN’s SportsCenter, has often been called out by the Indiana Fever fans for her alleged bias against the rookie. This has led to some backlash against her with Brunson even calling on Clark and Fever to address the “toxic” comments from their fanbase. However, she brushed aside the recent allegations of voting for Reese by tweeting, “You are so sad. I don’t have a WNBA Awards vote.”

So for the moment, Brunson is in the clear. While the name of the reporter who voted for Reese may not have been disclosed yet, some journalists came out on social media to share their voting slips and reveal their picks.

Terrika Foster-Brasby (covering the Connecticut Sun), Khristina Williams (for New York Liberty), and reporter Nick Hamilton have stepped forward, clearing their names by presenting their voting slips which clearly state Clark’s name as their ROTY choice. Voters only get to add a single name for the honor as compared to ranking five players for the MVP award.

Foster-Brasby had posted a photo of her voting slip on X on September 22, revealing her choices for WNBA MVP and ROTY. After the social media frenzy over the Angel Reese vote, she reshared the photo with the caption, “Just so we’re clear… it wasn’t me. I voted for CC. So don’t blow me up or call me a hater cause IT WASNT TERRIKA.” 

Williams also shared her slip on X, writing, “I had Caitlin Clark on my ballot for Rookie of the Year,” while Hamilton of NiteCast media wrote, “My voting ballot for #WNBA ROY was Caitlin Clark #FeverRising.” It has been no less than a historic season for Clark. But the one vote going against the point guard takes us back to the time when A’ja Wilson slid down the WNBA MVP list last season.

In 2023, the Las Vegas Aces star received one fourth-place vote, which many consider the primary reason for her third spot behind the winner Breanna Stewart, and the runner-up Alyssa Thomas. This was followed by questions as to who voted against Wilson, with many pointing fingers at the ESPN analyst and WNBA icon Rebecca Lobo.

The chance to deny Clark a unanimous is also baffling considering the comparison of her and Reese’s stats. Clark averaged 19.2 points in the season compared to Reese’s 13.6 per game. She also had 8.4 assists per game ahead of Reese’s 1.9. Surprisingly, Clark also led her in blocks with 0.7 to Reese’s 0.5, despite the height disadvantage. However, Reese comfortably beat her former college rival when it came to rebounds, with the Chicago Sky star managing 13.1 compared to Clark’s 5.7. Reese’s campaign was also cut short on September 6 after she suffered a wrist injury and required surgery.

In their head-to-head clashes, the Fever beat the Sky three out of four times. Reese put up more points than Clark in two of those contests.  while Reese had more rebounds than Clark in all four meetings, the ROTY registered more assists in the four games.

Clark arrived in the W after already setting the NCAA DI all-time scoring record at 3,951 points. Now she is set to receive a special trophy as well as $5,150 as bonus money. In a statement, she thanked the league and her team for their support, “I am incredibly honored to be named Rookie of the Year, but more than that, I am grateful to everyone that supported me throughout this past season – my family and friends, my teammates, the Fever organization and everyone that cheered us on all season.”

Although Clark was able to secure the ROTY with ease over Reese. But just a few months ago, both Reese and Clark had said they didn’t care about the ROTY award.

Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark make it clear that they don’t care about “individual awards”

Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark have enjoyed a healthy rivalry since their college days and while the two are on the opposing sides on the court, they do share a common goal- the success of their teams.

In August, the Fever rookie told reporters about the Rookie of the Year debate, “I think me and Angel would both give you the same answer. We don’t wake up and think about individual awards…That’s what everybody wants to make this about. Both of our teams are competing for playoff spots. That is our main focus.”

Reese had reiterated that statement in a separate interview, “We don’t either care about the Rookie of the Year. I think you guys have made it a big thing, we haven’t. We’re just trying to do whatever it takes to win, that’s what’s important right now.”

Both were focused on taking their teams to the playoffs. Sadly, Reese had to end her season early after a wrist injury. Not to mention, the Chicago Sky lost 13 of their last 16 games, missing the playoffs. The Indiana Fever made a humongous effort to make it to their first playoffs since 2016 but were ousted in the first round. Next year, both these rookies are going to come back stronger and take their teams even farther.