The 2024 WNBA rookie class is shaping up to be one of the best ever. Standing at the forefront of the talented class are Rookie of the Year front-runners Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.
With less than 10 games remaining in the regular season, Clark's Fever are poised to end an eight-year playoff drought, while Reese and the Sky could take another step in their rebuild with a playoff berth of their own. More than just team success, Clark and Reese have turned in record-breaking seasons and exceeded what is typically expected of first-year players.
Neither Clark nor Reese views the Rookie of the Year award as the end all be all; Clark told reporters that the pair "don’t wake up and think about individual awards."
Reese echoed her opposite number's sentiment.
"We don't either care about the Rookie of the Year," Reese said. "I think you guys have made it a big thing."
Nevertheless, the final chapter of this season's rivalry between the two looms large among fans and voters alike ahead of a crucial primetime game at Chicago's Wintrust Arena. Ahead of the meeting, we take stock of the numbers put forth by both star rookies in 2024.
Here are the key stats that can be used to determine which player is having a better rookie season.
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Caitlin Clark vs. Angel Reese stats
Look no further than per-game averages to understand how each player's skills have translated to the professional level.
Clark and Reese rank first and second, respectively, among all rookies in points per game. Clark's 18.0 points per game rank 10th in the league among a group of established veterans, MVPs and champions.
Impressive as the scoring has been, that's not what stands out the most for either player.
Reese leads the league in rebounds per game and is on pace to take home the rebounding crown by a healthy margin. Meanwhile, Clark is on pace to take home the assists crown with an average of more than eight dimes per game.
The star rookies are not without flaws, however. Clark is also turning the ball over at a historic rate, though that is typical of a rookie who has the ball in their hands as much as she does. Reese's inefficiency around the rim has been a stain on her rookie season but it hasn't prevented her from recording a league-high 22 double-doubles.
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Per game stats
| Clark | Reese | |
| PPG | 18.0 | 13.3 |
| RPG | 5.7 | 12.9 |
| APG | 8.1 | 1.8 |
| SPG | 1.4 | 1.3 |
| BPG | 0.8 | 0.5 |
| TOV | 5.5 | 1.9 |
| MPG | 35.4 | 32.4 |
| FG% | 41.4 | 38.4 |
| 3FG% | 33.0 | 18.2 |
| FT% | 90.1 | 73.7 |
Per 36 minutes stats
| Clark | Reese | |
| Points | 18.3 | 14.8 |
| Rebounds | 5.8 | 14.4 |
| Assists | 8.2 | 2.0 |
| Steals | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| Blocks | 0.9 | 0.6 |
| Turnovers | 5.6 | 2.2 |
Total stats
| Clark | Reese | |
| Points | 558 | 399 |
| Rebounds | 178 | 388 |
| Assists | 252 | 53 |
| Steals | 43 | 38 |
| Blocks | 26 | 16 |
| Turnovers | 171 | 58 |
| Minutes | 1,098 | 971 |
| Games | 31 | 30 |
| Double-doubles | 10 | 22 |
MORE: Why Caitlin Clark's technical fouls, complaining are a non-issue
Caitlin Clark vs. Angel Reese advanced stats
| Clark | Reese | |
| Player Efficiency Rating | 18.0 | 17.5 |
| Win Shares | 2.5 | 3.0 |
| True Shooting% | 57.8 | 45.8 |
| Usage% | 26.3 | 21.9 |