As the Olympics commence this week, the WNBA takes a break, lasting until August 14.
During this hiatus in the WNBA, it’s the perfect opportunity to evaluate the performance of some of the league’s standout rookies to date.
Rookies such as Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have transitioned well and earned All-Star nominations, alongside other notable contributors.
As the WNBA regular season approaches the halfway mark, let’s take a look at how six key rookies are performing according to Mail Sport.
Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever
Chosen as the No. 1 overall pick following a record-breaking college career at Iowa, Clark has quickly positioned herself as one of the premier professional players.
The 22-year-old ranks 13th in the league with an impressive 17.1 points per game – the highest among rookies – and notably leads the W in assists, averaging 8.2 per game.
Caitlin Clark has had an extremely impressive start to life in the WNBA with the Fever
Clark has quickly taken on a prominent role in the Fever’s offense, aiding the team in bouncing back to an 11-15 record after a rocky 2-9 start.
If we were to be critical, one point of concern is Clark’s efficiency levels.
She’s averaging 5.6 turnovers per game and shooting only 32.7 percent from beyond the arc on over eight attempts per game, although her overall shooting percentage has improved each month.
Like any rookie, Clark has areas to enhance, but her starting position is significantly higher than most.
Grade: A-
Angel Reese, Chicago Sky
Similar to Clark, Reese joined the WNBA under intense scrutiny and has performed admirably.
The Chicago Sky forward has dominated the boards, breaking a WNBA record with 15 double-doubles and leading the league with 11.9 rebounds per game.
She notably led in rebounds when the WNBA All-Stars faced the USA Olympic team and emerged victorious.
Angel Reese set a WNBA record with 15 straight double-doubles for the Chicago Sky
Despite averaging 13.5 points per game, Reese has struggled with her finishing around the basket for her size.
Her field goal percentage stands at a modest 40.2 percent, especially considering the majority of her shots are close to the rim.
Nevertheless, she has demonstrated her capability as a defensive anchor, making for a positive start to her career.
Grade: B+
Rickea Jackson, Los Angeles Sparks
Jackson ranks as the third-leading scorer (11.4 points per game) among rookies and has been a reliable starter for the Sparks after they drafted her fourth overall.
Her shooting has been notably efficient; she’s averaged 45.0 percent from the field as she begins her professional journey.
However, the Sparks have struggled, holding a disappointing 6-18 record. According to Basketball Reference, the team has performed 3.5 points better per 100 possessions with her off the court.
While Jackson shows scoring prowess, questions about her impact on winning remain.
Grade: a strong B
Kamilla Cardoso, Chicago Sky
Cardoso has been a comparable presence to Reese within the same team, at least in statistical performance.
The Brazilian center averages 8.1 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, although she has missed 6 of 24 games due to a shoulder injury.
She is also averaging 1.1 blocks per game, serving as a defensive cornerstone for a Chicago team (10-14) that is currently in playoff contention.
Kamilla Cardoso has flirted with a double-double each night while playing with Reese
While she has shot more efficiently than Reese at 46.2 percent, Cardoso is less involved in the offense, taking just over seven shots per game.
In fact, she has scored in single digits during over half of her appearances.
Though Cardoso displays potential, further development in her offensive repertoire is necessary.
Grade: B
Aaliyah Edwards, Washington Mystics
Edwards hasn’t been a consistent starter for the Mystics, but she is still averaging a solid 22.4 minutes per game and making an impact during that time.
She ranks just below Clark, Reese, and Jackson among rookies, averaging an efficient 8.7 points and 5.9 rebounds while shooting 49 percent.
Additionally, she contributes 1.5 combined steals and blocks each game.
However, the Mystics (currently at 6-19) have performed 7.1 points better without her on the floor per 100 possessions.
Edwards has shown flashes of talent, but we expect to see more consistency.
Grade B-
Cameron Brink, Los Angeles Sparks
It’s challenging to assign a fair evaluation to Brink, given she only played 15 games before suffering an ACL injury.
Nonetheless, this number is just three less than Cardoso, and she merits mention as the second overall pick.
Prior to her injury, Brink showcased her substantial shot-blocking ability and limited scoring.
Cameron Brink showed major promise on the defensive end before her season was cut short
Brink averaged 2.3 blocks per game, easily the most in the league, though she only managed 7.5 points on less than 40 percent shooting.
However, she displayed some shooting ability from the perimeter, hitting 32.3 percent from three-point range and shooting 84 percent at the free-throw line.
Although Brink’s rookie season sample size is limited, her defensive talent provides a solid foundation to build upon.
Grade: B-
