UNDER-THE-RADAR ROOKIES TO KEEP AN EYE ON FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON
We’re at the halfway point of the WNBA season, with All-Star weekend in the books and the Olympics fast approaching, and it is safe to say one thing: this 2024 rookie class has been fun to watch. This class has set unprecedented records on and off the court. In came some of the best stars from college, which resulted in the most watched WNBA draft, an explosion in WNBA All-Star voting numbers and numerous viewership records. There is a continued buzz on social media every night around incredible performances from rookies and vets alike.
Through the first half of the season, the Rookie of the Year race has seemingly come down to two players, maybe you’ve heard of them? The Fever’s Caitlin Clark and the Sky’s Angel Reese have already put together record breaking seasons, not just for rookies. Clark became the first WNBA rookie in history to post a triple-double and the first player in either the NBA and WNBA to record 29 points, 13 assists, five rebounds, five three-pointers, five steals and three blocks in a game. Reese’s name is already etched in the history books with 15 consecutive double-doubles, a WNBA record. Both players were also selected to the 2024 All-Star team, with Clark first in fan votes and Reese fifth, and competed together against Team USA in Phoenix during WNBA All-Star weekend.
While Clark and Reese have dominated the discourse around rookies, deservedly so, many other rookies have flown under the radar. They have had quiet but impressive starts to the season and their WNBA careers. Regardless of the Rookie of the Year race results and where each team ranks at the end of the season, one thing is certain: this rookie class is filled with the next generation of budding stars in this league. Here are some of the most underrated rookies to keep an eye on as the season progresses who can and likely will continue to have a major impact on their respective teams:
https://winsidr.com/2024/07/rookie-watch-list-under-the-radar-rookies-to-keep-an-eye-on-for-the-rest-of-the-season/