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17-Year NBA Veteran Sends Strong Message to WNBA on Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese Rookie of the Year Race

This former LA Clippers star has a strong opinion on how the WNBA should handle the Caitlin Clark vs. Angel Reese Rookie of the Year race

Joey Linn

Jul 20, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Team WNBA guard Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese against the USA Women's National Team during the 2024 WNBA All Star Game at Footprint Center.
Jul 20, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Team WNBA guard Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese against the USA Women's National Team during the 2024 WNBA All Star Game at Footprint Center. / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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In almost any other season, both Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark and Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese would be the undisputed favorite for WNBA Rookie of the Year. Both amid historic campaigns, Clark and Reese have done it in their own ways this season.

Currently averaging 17.8 points, 8.3 assists, and 5.8 rebounds, Clark would become the first player in WNBA history to average these numbers for an entire season.

Not the all-around offensive threat Clark is, Reese has been historic in her own way this season, and is on pace to break the WNBA's single-season rebound record in her rookie year.

These numbers have led to some arguing the WNBA should give both Clark and Reese the Rookie of the Year, making them co-winners of the award. This is not a popular opinion among everyone, including former LA Clippers star Lou Williams.

During an episode of his Underground Lounge podcast, Williams sent a strong message to the WNBA, saying this is a moment where they need to stand on something rather than giving this award to both players.

"I don't want it to be [co-winners]," Williams said. "Because I think that's like, for lack of a better term, I think that's some b**** a** s***. For the women, stand on the decision. You don't want everything to be cookie cutter... No, start standing on business. We represent the best of the best... I want to see that for the women's game."

While Williams feels strongly about the WNBA making a firm decision on Rookie of the Year, he admitted this is an instance where different things may need to be explored.

"But I honestly feel like this is one of those scenarios where you explore that," Williams added. "Because you don't want to take away what Angel Reese has done."

Williams spent 17 years in the NBA, playing for the Philadelphia 76ers, Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors, and Houston Rockets.

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Joey Linn
JOEY LINN

Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.

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