Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese should share this year’s WNBA Rookie of the Year award, women’s basketball legend Lisa Leslie controversially claimed.
Both Clark and Reese are enjoying fantastic debut campaigns in the WNBA, where they have reignited their passionate college rivalry as they battle for the prestigious Rookie of the Year award.
After joining the Indiana Fever as the first pick in this year’s draft, Caitlin has already broken several major league records, most recently recording the most triples by a rookie in history with 86.
Meanwhile, Angel is off to a hot start with the Chicago Sky, breaking the WNBA record for most rebounds in a single season with 418 on Sunday night.
However, in their final grudge match before the Rookie of the Year award was decided, it was Clark who outlasted Reese after her 31 points inspired the Fever to a 100-81 victory over the Sky.
Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese battle for WNBA Rookie of the Year award
But women’s basketball legend Lisa Leslie believes the pair should share this year’s award.
Many believe the Indiana phenom should now have the award in her pocket, particularly considering her team has a winning record of 17-16 compared to Chicago’s 11-21, but Leslie has sparked outrage after suggesting both rookies deserve it this season.
The two-time WNBA champion wrote on X on Sunday night: ‘I don’t care what comparisons you make, both @Reese10Angel and @CaitlinClark22 deserve Rookie of the Year!
“The pressure and weight of this season has forever changed the @WNBA and both rookies rose to the top and exceeded all of our expectations. Cheers, ladies!”
Leslie, who spent her entire 12-year WNBA career with the Los Angeles Sparks, was heavily criticized for her opinion, with a large majority of fans adamant that Clark should be the clear winner in the vote.
One of them responded: “No, you’re having some good plays, but this one was terrible, really bad. You have one player who is on the first team of the WNBA and the other is a player who doesn’t contribute any winning basketball to her team. Stop it.”
Another said: “Lisa, we respect you so much, but let’s be serious for a second.”
Leslie, a two-time WNBA champion, has been heavily criticized for her stance on social media.
Sports podcast host Jason Whitlock led outrage on X after Leslie’s controversial statement
Clark has broken a number of WNBA records while inspiring the Indiana Fever’s push toward the playoffs.
A third said: “It’s just disrespectful to what Clark is doing.”
“It’s not a consolation prize,” wrote a fourth. “Clark and Reese are miles apart. There’s no comparison so please be serious.”
A fifth commented: ‘Uhhhh… Caitlin is the unanimous winner lol. Angel is doing great! But Caitlin has been up to some crazy stuff and it would be a disservice to her to have to share that award.’
While sports podcast host Jason Whitlock also told Leslie: “This level of tribalism over skin color is sad and disappointing. An elite rebounder versus an elite basketball player. Delete this tweet.”
