The Chicago Sky secured a significant victory on Friday, triumphing over the Seattle Storm with a score of 88–84. Angel Reese had an outstanding performance, scoring a career-high of 27 points along with 10 rebounds, earning the rookie her 12th consecutive double-double.
Reese’s impressive feat saw her equal Candace Parker’s record for the longest streak of back-to-back double-doubles in the WNBA, a record that the two-time MVP achieved during the 2009 and 2010 seasons. Just last week, Reese surpassed Parker’s league record for the longest single-season streak by securing her 10th double-double in a row.
Teammate Chennedy Carter, who scored 33 points in Friday’s game, endorsed Reese for the WNBA Rookie of the Year title, stating her opinion in a postgame interview with ION’s Nikki Kay.
“Barbie’s Rookie of the Year. There’s no other way to put it,” Carter exclaimed, using Reese’s nickname. “She consistently puts in the work every single night, no matter the opponent. I’m telling you, Barbie’s Rookie of the Year, without a doubt.”
While Caitlin Clark’s fans might have differing views, the Indiana Fever standout and top overall pick is averaging 16 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game.
Nonetheless, Reese boasts an average of 13.7 rebounds per game, leading the WNBA in this category. Supporters of Reese would argue that her impact on the game is more significant by leading in such a crucial statistical area.
Both rookies have been selected for the WNBA All-Star Game and will feature in the Team WNBA vs. Team USA matchup during the league’s midseason showcase on July 20. Reese was overcome with emotion upon learning about her All-Star inclusion, showcasing how much the recognition means to her, especially amidst her ongoing rivalry with Clark.
Clark’s immense popularity was evident as she garnered the highest number of All-Star fan votes with 700,735. She is also the frontrunner in the betting odds for the WNBA Rookie of the Year award. Nonetheless, the award is expected to be based on merit rather than popularity. Reese’s remarkable improvement and dominance in rebounding make a compelling case for her. If the decision was left to Carter and her Sky teammates, Reese would likely win by a wide margin.
