With the ongoing WNBA season, there is a lot of talk as to who the better player between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese is. While some opine that Clark is better due to her offensive prowess, others say Reese is superior because of her overall impact on the game, especially on defense. While their team records aren’t too great, their impact on the overall growth of the league has been tremendous. The Washington Mystics had to move their games against Reese’s Chicago Sky and Clark’s Indiana Fever out of their usual 4,500-seater arena due to fan demand. But there can only be one ROTY and WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes has already made her choice.

Swoopes sided with Angel Reese and justified her surprising choice on a recent podcast episode. “For me, if Rookie of the Year was picked today, I’ll give it to Angel,” Swoopes said on the Gil’s Arena podcast. While she stated that Angel still has room for improvement on the offensive end and wished that she stayed in college another year, she believes it’s her defense that stands out.

“She gon’ play hard. Period. No matter who they playing… Rebounding is about effort. ‘I want it more than you and I’m just gonna go and get it.’ That is the best part of Angel’s game right now. I think she’s averaging a double-double. That’s impressive for anybody, let alone a rookie… I have been very impressed with what Angel has been able to do with and for the Chicago Sky so early on in the season,” Swoopes added.

Notably, Reese is currently averaging 12.1 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. Therefore, she averages a double-double whereas Clark has 16.1 points and 6.2 assists per contest. Before the two rookies had made it to the WNBA, Swoopes had opined that Reese would take some time adjusting to the league but how the Bayou Barbie is going now, it looks as if she had a good learning curve with the Louisiana State University Lady Tigers.

However, this choice will obviously come as a disappointment to many fans. Clark is a fan favorite and there is no doubt about that. It is due to her that the Indiana Fever is recording sold-out games at the Gainsbridge Fieldhouse and also a lot of followers are tuning into their TVs to watch the 22-year-old. The WNBA has recorded a 93% increase in revenue through ticket sales. Hence, her admirers would be disappointed by Swoopes’s statement. However, it is not only Swoopes who has given Reese a green flag for the Rookie of the Year.

Angel Reese over Caitlin Clark all the way

Previously the New York Times released its rookie rankings in which Reese occupied the top place instead of Clark. The second spot to everyone’s surprise was occupied by Aliyah Edwards. And Clark was positioned at the third spot. This created a lot of controversy on the internet since Clark’s fans were furious that their star wasn’t positioned at the rank they had expected. 

But there’s also the reason behind Clark’s seemingly average performances and that has to do with the way she is being guarded all the time. There are at least two to three defenders on her, plus there is an increased physicality in the WNBA, which is also creating problems for the Iowa alumna.

For more such stories, tune into our platform and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the Reese-Clark rivalry and more, watch this video: