The 2024 July Women’s Hoops Network rookies of the month, in partnership with PICKUP by GameFlo, are Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. The young rookies have been dominating since entering the league back in April. The pair have broken records and created their own with just months of being in the WNBA.
July was an impressive month for both athletes as they each broke new records for WNBA rookies. Caitlin Clark made history by becoming the first rookie to record a triple-double and Angel Reese broke Candace Parker’s record for most consecutive double-doubles.
Not only did the pair break records, the pair both averaged a double-double in the month of July. Clark averaged a shocking 20.3 points per game and 12.5 assists. Reese averaged 14 points and 13.1 rebounds. In the All-Star game, Clark racked up an impressive 10 assists while Angel Reese continued her double-double streak with a critical 13 points and 11 rebounds for Team WNBA.
“I don’t think anybody else is going to enter the Rookie of the Year conversation,” Ruocco said. “That’s not a slight to the production of anybody else like Rickea (Jackson) or Aaliyah (Edwards) or Kamilla (Cardoso). That’s just how good Caitlin and Angel have been with the history they’ve continued to set.”
As No. 1 pick in the WNBA 2024 draft, Caitlin Clark has led the Indiana Fever through a roller coaster of a season. Fever’s 11-15 record doesn’t showcase Clark’s talent and ability to be a playmaker for the team. The former Hawkeye has been a floor general to feed her to the team.
Clark is leading all WNBA rookies in points per game averaging 17.1, 8.2 assists, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game. She also leads the league in assists and is fifth in three-pointers made.
The two-time Naismith Women’s College Player of The Year has already broken the franchise single-season assist record. Clark is also the first rookie in 28 years to get a triple-double. Additionally, this past Wednesday, Clark set a new record for most assists in a single game in WNBA history with 19 assists. The previous record was 18 assists and was held by the Liberty’s point guard Courtney Vandersloot on August 31, 2020. Ticha Penicheiro held the previous record for assists by a rookie with 16, which was set on July 29th, 1998. In Saturday’s game, Clark was one away from capturing Sue Bird’s assist record for the All-Star game.
“I just try to set my teammates up for success,” Clark said.“I think at times I can almost overpass.”
On the other hand, Angel Reese has become the face of the Chicago Sky team along with breakout star Chennedy Carter. Reese constantly battles in the paint with long-time vets for her position and on the defensive end as well. In the WNBA All-Star game against Team USA, Angel Reese put up 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Regardless of wins or losses, Reese has consistently maintained her double-double. She also broke Candace Parker’s record of 12 consecutive double-doubles with 15. Parker is one of the best WNBA players to ever play the game. Passing Candace Parker is a big accolade and a tall task to accomplish. Moreover, Reese is leading all rookies in rebounding and steals.
Reese is a part of the scary rookie duo from the Chicago Sky’s team. The Sky are leading the league in rebounding, and the pair are responsible for that. On Wednesday, July 10th, Reese and Cardoso became the first rookie duo to have a double-double in the same game three times in a season. Reese is so critical to her team for her ability to crash the boards and give the Sky second-chance points or possessions. This season Reese is averaging 13.5 points and 12 rebounds per game.
Both rookies are battling harder than ever and will continue to shock the world. Clark and Reese have already influenced the game significantly despite their young age.
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