Even in a sport the place Angel Reese was ejected, her affect was plain. The Chicago Sky rookie was tossed for choosing 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 Her second foul was rescinded a day later by the WNBA.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 sort of statline Chicago has already come to count on from the No. 7 choose 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 via 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 alter to the next degree, however there’s little doubt they’re delivering in significant methods.
Feeling the love, Skytown 💙 pic.twitter.com/nK2wIbN9lR
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) May 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 focus 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 making an attempt 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 practically the identical clip as she did at Iowa. Reese definitely has made a case for the No. 1 spot, however Clark additionally shoulders considerably extra defensive stress than any rookie. Her 25.8 % utilization fee 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 must be chopping 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 up to now in her WNBA rookie season? Consultants 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. So far, she’s been fairly near that. Getting into Thursday night time’s matchup in opposition to the Washington Mystics, Reese had recorded not less than 8 factors and eight rebounds in six of her eight video games..
Reese’s affect on Chicago has been tangible. She leads all rookies with 9 rebounds per sport and leads all WNBA gamers together with her common of 5 offensive rebounds per sport. Sky coach Teresa Weatherspoon, a Naismith Corridor of Fame participant, has taken a liking to what Reese offers, 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 continuously 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, making an attempt not less than six free throws in six separate video games.
Reese’s affect has been evident regardless of different limitations in her sport, 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, based on Synergy Sports activities, making only one. Even across the basket, she has struggled, taking pictures 29.9 %. But, minimizing Reese’s significance is a spotlight for Sky opponents.
Enhancing her perimeter taking pictures and talent to complete across the hoop will probably be paramount to her development. 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 flooring, 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 talents that made her a star at Stanford. Though the Sparks are simply 2-7, Brink scored a career-high 21 factors in 23 minutes in opposition to the Dallas Wings on Might 26, and she or he tallied not less than 5 rebounds six occasions. Coach Curt Miller hasn’t stretched the No. 2 choose’s utilization. Brink has but to play greater than half-hour in a sport however she’s displayed her offensive repertoire. She’s been stable on catch-and-shoot alternatives and appears snug across the rim, taking pictures 63 % from the sector, based on Synergy Sports activities. Although Brink developed a fame as a vaunted shot-blocker in school (and is averaging 2.6 blocks per sport up to now), some opposing bigs have succeeded going up in opposition to her. Brink permits bigs she’s guarding to shoot 43.9 %.
Regardless of relatively restricted minutes, Rickea Jackson’s 3-point taking pictures and rebounding have stood out. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Photos)
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 taking pictures the second-best share of any rookie with not less than 10 makes an attempt (solely Alissa Pili is best). She’s been a stable rebounder (3.0 per sport) and confirmed she will rating in several sides. Generally that has taken the type of being aggressive in transition, different occasions from behind the arc or slashing to the rim. She’s made not less than 50 % of her shot makes an attempt in 5 of 9 video games, although carried out 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 time, however she isn’t any stranger to taking part in with — and in opposition to — a few of the world’s finest competitors. The 26-year-old guard spent final winter taking part in 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 night time roster after signing a coaching camp contract and was thrust into the franchise’s beginning lineup.
Straight away, she’s been trusted to attract the very best out of a group with top-four aspirations. Uzun is averaging 31.3 minutes per sport, 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 she or he 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 superb defender up to now, with opponents taking pictures solely 28.6 % on photographs she’s guarding, based on 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 practically 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 sport, collected her personal cross, and shot it.
Others thought-about: Julie Vanloo ( Mystics), Pili (Lynx), Aaliyah Edwards (Mystics), Kate Martin (Las Vegas Aces)
(Prime photographs of Caitlin Clark, left, and Angel Reese: Jeff Haynes / NBAE through Getty Photos)