ESPN
Jun 8, 2024, 02:28 AM ET
The 2024 WNBA season is off and running for one of the most anticipated rookie classes in league history. With the WNBA at a tipping point, all eyes are on Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, the No. 1 pick in April's draft and the NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer.
But the rookie class is loaded with potential future stars. In addition to Clark, forwards Cameron Brink, the No. 2 draft pick with the Los Angeles Sparks, and Angel Reese, the No. 7 pick to the Chicago Sky, are among the rookies in starting lineups.
How are the top rookies playing? We'll track their performances every time they take the court, so check back every game day.
Last updated: June 7
Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever
Guard | 6-foot | Game log | Stats
Last time out: Before 20,333 fans at Capital One Arena - the largest regular-season crowd at a WNBA game since 1999 - Clark had the second 30-point game of her 12-game pro career in the Fever's 85-83 win over the Washington Mystics on Friday. The "Caitlin Clark Effect" has been a hot topic of late. But if there's any doubt about it, Friday's huge crowd for a game between teams that are now a combined 3-20 is just more proof of how real it is. Clark was 7 of 13 from 3-point range and 8 of 15 overall for Indiana. She also had 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals with 8 turnovers. While the turnovers are still a concern, you also have to consider how much else she's doing for the Fever. "When she gets hot, she can be really dangerous," Indiana coach Christie Sides said in a familiar refrain about Clark. "We need to get her off some screens so she doesn't have to work so hard." Clark's 7 3-pointers on Friday tied the WNBA rookie record. Crystal Robinson of the New York Liberty also had 7 in a game in her first WNBA season in 1999. Robinson wasn't actually a pro rookie then, though, as she had played two previous seasons in the ABL.
What we learned: Pro athletes aren't generally going to make too much of fatigue, so as not to show any vulnerability but it was very clear that the Indiana Fever were about tapped out in their 104-68 loss last Sunday at New York. That ended a stretch of 11 games in the first 20 days of the WNBA season. With just one game this week, they got some rest and practice time, and it helped in their victory Friday. Admittedly, the Mystics are winless and were playing their second game in as many nights. But the Fever simply looked much sharper with some time off, and that also showed in Clark's shooting. "I think you could see the exhaustion on our faces, more mentally than probably physically," Clark said of the Fever's taxing stretch to start the season. "Physically, we were exhausted, but mentally it's hard to stay sharp. I'm proud of our group. We certainly battled. -- Michael Voepel
Up next: at Connecticut Sun on Monday (7 p.m. ET, NBA TV)
Cameron Brink, Los Angeles Sparks
Forward | 6-foot-4 | Game log | Stats
Last time out: Brink had the first double-double of her WNBA career with 10 points and 10 rebounds as the Sparks beat the Dallas Wings 81-72 on Friday Brink had had four consecutive game scoring in single digits before a much stronger game offensively against Dallas. And she continued her streak of at least one blocked shot in all 10 of the Sparks' games. That is the fourth-longest streak for blocks to begin a WNBA career. The late Margo Dydek is first in that category, as she had 36 in her first season of 1998 and into the 1999 season. Lisa Leslie (18 in 1997) and Rebecca Lobo (16 in 1997) are second and third.
What we learned: Brink was 1 of 5 from the field in the Sparks' loss to Minnesota on Wednesday for a season-low 2 points. She was 5 of 11 from field against Dallas and drew praise from coach Curt Miller for how she battled against the Wings' physicality. - Voepel
Up next: vs. Las Vegas Aces on Sunday (9p.m. ET)
Aaliyah Edwards, Washington Mystics
Forward | 6-foot-4 | Game log | Stats
Last time out: Edwards, the No. 6 pick in April's draft, has had double-doubles in her last two games. Friday, she finished with 10 points and 12 rebounds, but chastised herself on social media for going 4 of 8 from the free-throw line in a close 85-83 loss to the Indiana Fever. Edwards has now started five of the Mystics 11 games and is averaging 9.0 points and 6.3 rebounds.
What we learned: There's no avoiding the obvious: It's been a very rough start for the 0-11 Mystics. But one of the bright spots has been Edwards. When Dallas bypassed Edwards to take guard Jacy Sheldon with the No. 5 pick in the draft, it was a great break for Washington. The Mystics needed a post player, and UConn product Edwards was a great pickup for them.- Voepel
Up next: at New York Liberty on Sunday (3 p.m. ET)
Rickea Jackson, Los Angeles Sparks
Forward | 6-foot-2 | Game log | Stats
Last time out: Jackson, like Brink, was 1 of 5 from the field for a season-low 2 points in Wednesday's loss to Minnesota. But also like Brink, she had a much better game Friday against Dallas. Well, actually more a much better second half. The first half was tough for Jackson, mostly defensively against Dallas' Maddy Siegrist, but she turned things around after the break. Jackson finished with 8 points and 2 steals and contributed to the energy the Sparks needed to outscore Dallas 20-9 in the fourth quarter.
What we learned: Miller said Jackson's struggles defensively against the Wings in the first half didn't stop her from playing well after being benched. "That's not easy for anyone, a pro to be pulled early," he said. "And she responded. I'm proud that her attitude didn't waiver."- Voepel
Up next: vs. Las Vegas Aces on Sunday (9p.m. ET)
Angel Reese, Chicago Sky
Forward | 6-foot-3 | Game log | Stats
Last time out: Reese finished with a season-high 16 points to go along with 11 rebounds (six offensive) in the Chicago Sky's 79-71 win over the Washington Mystics on Thursday, marking her second consecutive double-double. With five steals to go along with those contributions, she became the fourth rookie in league history with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 steals in a game, joining Candace Parker (2008), Tamika Catchings (three times in 2002), and Yolanda Griffith (twice in 1999). In her de factor homecoming game (the Mystics are the closest WNBA franchise to her hometown of Baltimore), Reese struggled with her efficiency once more (5 for 17 from the field) but went 6 for 8 from the free-throw line to compensate. Still, her 16 points were the most of any Sky starter and second only to Chennedy Carter's 25, while her 17 shot attempts were a season-high.
What stood out: The former LSU standout struggled defensively in the first half, part of the reason why Aaliyah Edwards went off for 16 first-half points. And on the other end of the floor, she couldn't find her shot early, starting the game 0-6. But Reese found a way to get into a groove and make an impact in other ways, whether it be a nice pass in transition to Chennedy Carter for a basket, some nifty moves off the bounce or one highlight-reel play where she poked the ball away from Edwards and then got it back on the other end from Carter for a layup through contact. -- Alexa Philippou
Up next: Saturday vs. Atlanta (5 p.m. ET, NBA TV)
Kamilla Cardoso, Chicago Sky
Center | 6-foot-7 | Game log | Stats
Last time out: Cardoso only saw the floor for about 15 minutes in Thursday's win, although she did start the second half after Elizabeth Williams was ruled out for the remainder of the contest with a knee injury. But coach Teresa Weatherspoon opted to go with Isabelle Harrison down the stretch of the second half, where the former South Carolina star played just five minutes. Cardoso finished with two points, five rebounds and three assists in that limited capacity.
What stood out: Reese and Cardoso have only shared the floor for 21 minutes over the last three games since Cardoso returned from injury, and while their synergy may take some time to develop, we are already seeing flashes of what that could look like in full form. In fact, two of Cardoso's three assists on the evening were to Reese down low, including a nice touch-pass to her rookie counterpart for a layup. Otherwise it was a tough night for Cardoso offensively (1 for 4 from the field) going up against an experienced veteran center in Stefanie Dolson.-- Philippou
Up next: Saturday vs. Atlanta (5 p.m. ET, NBA TV)
