Women's Fastbreak On SI

Caitlin Clark Has Ended WNBA Rookie of Year Debate

Robin Lundberg

Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

Everyone needs to be honest with themselves, there is no WNBA Rookie of the Year debate. That's no slight to Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky by the way. But Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark is much closer to being in the conversation for MVP than she is to any serious discussion about best rookie. There is simply no way one can watch Clark play and say otherwise, as she is the best point guard in the W already.

Clark's playmaking is stunningly good and her ability to push the pace has turned the Fever into a high powered and explosive offensive team, especially in transition. Fellow All-Stars Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell are big reasons for this as well, given that trio is consistent and formidable. But Caitlin serves as the squad's engine. Which was on display again with another scoring and assisting masterclass against the Phoenix Mercury.

The Mercury were certainly undermanned in the contest but Olympian Kahleah Copper was playing and Clark was the top player on the floor for the majority of the matchup before Copper led a late Phoenix charge. However, the lead Indiana was able to open up was too much to overcome and that came with CC leading the way.

It seems every game Caitlin is doing something unprecedented. She was already generating more points than anyone and is rapidly getting better. Clark is near the top of the league in nearly every statistical category and that includes being top 15 in both steals and blocks, as Caitlin has also made plays on the defensive side of the ball.

Putting Clark in rookie debates feels disingenuous at this point when comparing her role, production, and the defensive attention she has received to Reese or any other first-year player. Caitlin should be compared to the players on Team USA instead. Because she is very clearly amongst the elite already.

There was understandably a backlash to the hype Clark entered the WNBA with and with her being anointed before she proved anything at the professional level. But it has become abundantly clear that the hype is real, as Caitlin Clark is unreal with the basketball in her hands. A monster one might say.

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Robin Lundberg
ROBIN LUNDBERG

Robin Lundberg is a media veteran and hoops head who has spent the bulk of his career with iconic brands like Sports Illustrated and ESPN. His insights have also been featured on platforms such as Fox and CNN and he can currently be heard hosting shows for Sirius XM and on his burgeoning YouTube show. And now he brings his basketball expertise to Women's Fastbreak on SI!

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