South Carolina women's basketball head coach Dawn Staley is weighing in on this season's hotly contested WNBA Rookie of the Year race between Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese and Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark.
"They're both having great years. Don't get me wrong," Staley told TMZ Sports. "If I had to pick a Rookie of the Year at this time ... it's Angel. Without a doubt."
Reese entered Saturday's contest against the New York Liberty averaging 13.8 points and a league-best 11.8 boards. The LSU standout leads her peers with 104 offensive rebounds and is on pace to break the single-season record held by Hall of Fame center Yolanda Griffith.
Earlier this month, Reese broke Candace Parker's WNBA record with her 13th straight double-double.
Clark is also enjoying a tremendous debut campaign, averaging 16.8 points and ranking second in the league with 7.8 assists per contest. She recently became the first rookie in WNBA history to record a triple-double and multiple games of 20-plus points and 10-plus assists.
Clark's statline last Wednesday against the Washington Mystics marked the first time a WNBA player tallied at least 25 points, 10 assists, five rebounds, five steals, and five threes in one game.
Both players will suit up in next weekend's All-Star Game in Phoenix and have their respective teams in playoff position.
"Listen, the season is halfway through and Caitlin is coming ... I'll say this. Whatever team makes the playoffs, that's our Rookie of the Year," Staley said.
