The WNBA announced its All-Rookie team earlier this month, and it served as a reminder of just how deep and talented the 2024 rookie class was.
The list of rookies selected to All-Rookie were as follows:
Caitlin Clark (Indiana Fever)
Rickea Jackson (Los Angeles Sparks)
Leonie Fiebich (New York Liberty)
Angel Reese (Chicago Sky)
Kamilla Cardoso (Chicago Sky)
That list doesn’t include Cameron Brink (Los Angeles Sparks), who was drafted with the No. 2 pick and was having an incredible defensive season before rupturing her ACL. It also doesn’t include several other strong rookie performers, like Aaliyah Edwards (Washington Mystics) and Jacy Sheldon (Dallas Wings), both of whom would have made a Second Team All-Rookie, if there were one.
Still, the All-Rookie Team would likely be a competitive enough team to secure a playoff berth. But, how far could that starting lineup go?
Let’s start at the top.
Caitlin Clark was one of the best guards in the league this season, and with her at the helm, I already feel pretty encouraged by this made-up team’s chances offensively. Clark averaged 19.2 points and 8.4 assists per game, particularly finding her rhythm post-Olympic break. Kelsey Mitchell was huge to what Clark was able to accomplish this season, but Clark would have an other strong offensive options to work with on this roster, too.
Then, there’s Leonie Fiebich, who has thrived as primarily a 3&D wing for the Libery. She’s played as a role player player in New York, but is certainly capable of putting up increased numbers with increased usage, as she demonstrated as a starter. Fiebich was very efficient this season — shooting 47.8% from the field this season and 43.3% from three. She can also match up with the opposing team’s top perimeter player, and at 6’ 4, she propel any starting lineup from a height and length standpoint.
Rickea Jackson proved to be a true bucket-getter on the Sparks — averaging 13.4 points on 45.6% shooting. Jackson had a slow start to the year, but by the end of the Sparks’ season, she was the primary scoring option. Defensively, Jackson improved quite a bit this season, and her former coach, Curt Miller, long spoke of her potential as a two-way star in the WNBA. Playing alongside a spacer like Fiebich and a playmaker like Clark, Fiebich’s offensive ceiling would only be further unlocked.
Then, there’s Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso, who showcased they could combine to create a formidable frontcourt, particularly on the glass. Rickea Jackson, Caitlin Clark, and Leonie Fiebich are an upgrade for Reese and Cardoso than Sky starters they were playing with. Clark would likely help unlock another level to both Reese and Cardoso’s games, and Fiebich would immediately become one of the best shooters the duo has played with as pros.
Between scoring and passing, Clark generated more points than any WNBA player in history, so it’s fair to say she’d elevate any offense she’s apart of. Aliyah Boston is a more complete post player offensively than Reese or Cardoso at this point, but both would have had better offensive seasons with someone like Clark running the offense.
We’ll probably never see a Clark-Jackson-Fiebich-Reese-Cardoso lineup. But if we did, that group could certainly make some noise.
