Even in a recreation the place Angel Reese was ejected, her impression was plain. The Chicago Sky rookie was tossed for selecting up a second technical with simply over two minutes remaining in Tuesday’s loss to the New York Liberty. Her second foul was rescinded a day later by the WNBA.
Nonetheless, Reese had already logged 13 factors and 10 rebounds, recording her second double-double. It’s the form of statline Chicago has already come to count on from the No. 7 decide in April’s draft. Reese has been a constant contributor over the primary month of the WNBA season, however she isn’t alone amongst members of her rookie class.
From their last school seasons by means of the WNBA Draft to the beginning of their professional careers, these rookies have introduced new star energy and an interesting dynamic to the league. They’re understanding the kinks as they modify to a better stage, however there’s little question they’re delivering in significant methods.
Feeling the love, Skytown 💙 pic.twitter.com/nK2wIbN9lR
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) Might 26, 2024
Although it feels just like the yr has simply began, someway, someway, some franchises have already crossed the quarter mark of the season. With that, right here’s our take a look at the 5 finest rookies the primary month of the season.
15.6 PPG | 6.4 APG | 5.1 RPG
Clark has been the focal point throughout her first month within the WNBA, particularly final week. However amid some struggles, she nonetheless has discovered methods to supply. She is aggressive attacking the basket, already trying 48 free throws, that are the seventh most within the WNBA. She’s additionally impacted Indiana’s offense regardless of not hitting 3-pointers at almost the identical clip as she did at Iowa. Reese actually has made a case for the No. 1 spot, however Clark additionally shoulders considerably extra defensive strain than any rookie. Her 25.8 % utilization price is greater than WNBA stars like Skylar Diggins-Smith, Breanna Stewart, Kelsey Plum and Sabrina Ionescu. She’s proven rising pains and causes for optimism. A spotlight in June ought to be reducing down on turnovers, as Clark leads the league (56) and has 21 greater than Phoenix Mercury guard Natasha Cloud, who’s second.
GO DEEPER
Has Caitlin Clark lived as much as the hype thus far in her WNBA rookie season? Specialists debate
2. Angel Reese, Chicago Sky
10.8 PPG | 9.0 RPG | 5.0 ORPG
At LSU, Reese recorded double-doubles on a close to nightly foundation. Up to now, she’s been fairly near that. Coming into Thursday evening’s matchup towards the Washington Mystics, Reese had recorded a minimum of 8 factors and eight rebounds in six of her eight video games..
Reese’s impression on Chicago has been tangible. She leads all rookies with 9 rebounds per recreation and leads all WNBA gamers together with her common of 5 offensive rebounds per recreation. Sky coach Teresa Weatherspoon, a Naismith Corridor of Fame participant, has taken a liking to what Reese gives, particularly on the glass.
“It’s a knack,” Weatherspoon mentioned two weeks in the past. “She’s simply relentless. She does a relentless pursuit for the ball and that’s who she is, that’s what she’s about.”
Reese often establishes high-quality rebounding place and is aggressive in attacking the rim if she isn’t boxed out by opposing bigs. On offense, she additionally has already proven she’s unafraid of contact, trying a minimum of six free throws in six separate video games.
Reese’s impression has been evident regardless of different limitations in her recreation, making her first month particularly spectacular.
To date, nearly all of her offense has come across the rim. She’s tried solely 9 bounce photographs this season, in response to Synergy Sports activities, making only one. Even across the basket, she has struggled, capturing 29.9 %. But, minimizing Reese’s significance is a spotlight for Sky opponents.
Bettering her perimeter capturing and skill to complete across the hoop might be paramount to her progress. Chicago guard Marina Mabrey has additionally assisted Reese on solely six baskets, a sign there may be room for enchancment in Chicago’s pick-and-roll motion. But when that is Reese’s ground, the Sky have loads of causes to be optimistic about their future.
8.0 PPG | 5.4 RPG | 2.6 BPG
Brink, like Reese and Clark, has proven flashes of the abilities that made her a star at Stanford. Though the Sparks are simply 2-7, Brink scored a career-high 21 factors in 23 minutes towards the Dallas Wings on Might 26, and he or she tallied a minimum of 5 rebounds six instances. Coach Curt Miller hasn’t stretched the No. 2 decide’s utilization. Brink has but to play greater than half-hour in a recreation however she’s displayed her offensive repertoire. She’s been stable on catch-and-shoot alternatives and appears comfy across the rim, capturing 63 % from the sphere, in response to Synergy Sports activities. Although Brink developed a popularity as a vaunted shot-blocker in school (and is averaging 2.6 blocks per recreation thus far), some opposing bigs have succeeded going up towards her. Brink permits bigs she’s guarding to shoot 43.9 %.
Regardless of relatively restricted minutes, Rickea Jackson’s 3-point capturing and rebounding have stood out. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Pictures)
9.1 PPG | 3.0 RPG | 46.7 FG
Jackson has performed the fewest minutes (208) of anybody in my present high 5, however she’s taken benefit of her alternatives. She’s tied for the third most 3-pointers (seven) by rookies, however she’s capturing the second-best share of any rookie with a minimum of 10 makes an attempt (solely Alissa Pili is best). She’s been a stable rebounder (3.0 per recreation) and confirmed she will rating in several aspects. Typically that has taken the type of being aggressive in transition, different instances from behind the arc or slashing to the rim. She’s made a minimum of 50 % of her shot makes an attempt in 5 of 9 video games, although completed so solely as soon as since being inserted into the beginning lineup on Might 28.
6.6 PPG | 5.0 APG | 2.6 RPG
Uzun is making her WNBA debut this summer season, however she isn’t any stranger to enjoying with — and towards — a few of the world’s finest competitors. The 26-year-old guard spent final winter enjoying for EuroLeague champion Turkish membership Fenerbahçe, the place she performed alongside notables like Napheesa Collier, Kayla McBride, Natasha Howard, Nina Milic and Emma Meesseman. Uzun made the Wings’ opening evening roster after signing a coaching camp contract and was thrust into the franchise’s beginning lineup.
Instantly, she’s been trusted to attract one of the best out of a crew with top-four aspirations. Uzun is averaging 31.3 minutes per recreation, the second most on the roster and the second most amongst rookies behind Clark. Although she’s persevering with to determine the right way to play alongside Arike Ogunbowale, the early returns are constructive. Twelve of Uzun’s 40 assists have been to Ogunbowale, and he or she has additionally discovered Dallas bigs Teaira McCowan and Monique Billings on a number of events. Along with her offensive playmaking, the 5-foot-10 Uzun has been a wonderful defender thus far, with opponents capturing solely 28.6 % on photographs she’s guarding, in response to Synergy Sports activities.
🇹🇷Dün gece yine ilk 5 başlayan ve 26:24 dakika saha kalan milli oyuncumuz Sevgi Uzun, karşılaşmayı 4 sayı (1-8 FG, 2-2 FT), 2 ribaund, 4 asist ve 1 high çalma ile tamamladı.pic.twitter.com/FH2dwrQ6II https://t.co/QnJHxul5Ml
— Ladies Hoops (@womenhoop) June 6, 2024
She performs with fearlessness on each ends. Exhibit A: It didn’t go down, however she almost made the shot of the yr when she threw an inbounds off Solar heart Brionna Jones with lower than 10 seconds remaining in a one-point recreation, collected her personal go, and shot it.
Others thought-about: Julie Vanloo ( Mystics), Pili (Lynx), Aaliyah Edwards (Mystics), Kate Martin (Las Vegas Aces)
(High images of Caitlin Clark, left, and Angel Reese: Jeff Haynes / NBAE by way of Getty Pictures)
