Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Rickea Jackson lead midseason WNBA Rookie Rankings — however who’s on prime?

We’re greater than midway into the WNBA season, and with sport play set to renew subsequent week, it’s time for the August version of SB Nation’s official WNBA Rookie Rankings. Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have battled for the highest spot all season, whereas Rickea Jackson, Aaliyah Edwards, and Kamilla Cardoso and a number of other others have hovered close to the highest of the rookie ladder due to impactful debut seasons as professionals.

So, with lower than two months left to play — the place does everybody stack up?

9. Kate Martin, Las Vegas Aces

Photograph by Steph Chambers/Getty Photographs

Stats: 3.4 factors (35.1% FG), 2 rebounds, 1.1 assists
Minutes per sport: 13.8
Earlier rating: #8
Crew File: 15-8

Kate Martin is a fan favourite in Las Vegas, and he or she’s proven this yr she’s excess of simply Caitlin Clark’s second choice at Iowa. Martin has performed a restricted however significant position for the two-time defending champion Aces, however has earned vital reward from her teammates for being a succesful defender and somebody who makes the proper play on the proper time.

Martin bruised her achilles within the final sport earlier than the break, however seems to have averted main harm, so it’s probably she’ll be again in motion after the break. “She’s a troublesome cookie,” head coach Becky Hammon stated after the loss to the Sky, during which Martin was carried off the ground.

Whereas her stats received’t soar out at you, the actual fact that Martin has been capable of crack the rotation of what’s probably essentially the most star-studded roster within the WNBA speaks for itself. She falls one spot, nevertheless, as a result of a number of different rookies have assumed bigger roles because the yr has gone on.

8. Sevgi Uzun, Dallas Wings

Photograph by Michael Gonzales/NBAE through Getty Photographs

Stats: 5.4 factors (35.6% FG), 3.5 assists, 2 rebounds, 2.3 turnovers
Minutes per sport: 24.3
Earlier rating: #7
Crew File: 6-19

Sevgi Uzun is considered one of a number of undrafted rookies— gamers who excelled for years abroad earlier than opting to compete with an expert crew within the WNBA. Uzun, a standout level guard from Turkey, has performed substantial minutes for the Wings this season, and in these minutes, she’s showcased her playmaking and scoring talents.

Uzun drops down a spot within the WNBA Rookie Rankings on condition that her position has diminished because the season has gone on. She performed lower than 10 minutes in every of the final 5 video games of the WNBA season earlier than the break, and was scoreless in three of her final 5 video games.

7. Leonie Fiebich, New York Liberty

Photograph by Catalina Fragoso/NBAE through Getty Photographs

Stats: 5.8 factors (41.4 % FG), 2.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists
Minutes per sport: 19.5
Earlier rating: N/A
Crew File: 21-4

Leonie Fiebich has been considerably of a revelation for the Liberty this season, particularly because the yr’s progressed. The German ahead was drafted in 2020, however solely made the transfer to start WNBA play this yr.

Whereas she performed restricted minutes early on, her position has expanded as of late — Fiebich logged at the least half-hour in every of the Liberty’s ultimate 4 video games earlier than the Olympic break. Her all-around play has impressed — she recorded consecutive 13 factors in back-to-back wins over the Sky in July, a efficiency that drew reward from Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello.

“She’s nice,” Brondello, per Myles Ehrlich. “She’s bought good dimension, loves protection, is aware of the best way to execute properly… her assists, her skip passes, I feel she’s bought good versatility.”

Fiebich was an important member of Germany’s Olympic crew — she averaged 10.3 factors per sport on 46.7% taking pictures, serving to her nation advance to the quarterfinals. She’s a model new addition to the Rookie Rankings given her elevated position and two-way impression.

6. Julie Vanloo, Washington Mystics

Photograph by Michael Hickey/Getty Photographs

Stats: 8.5 factors (35.2% FG), 5.1 assists, 1.8 rebounds, 0.5 steals, 3.2 turnovers
Minutes per sport: 25.5
Earlier rating: #6
Crew File: 6-19

Julie Vanloo is having one of many extra underrated rookie season within the W. With 15 video games left to play, she’s already made extra three-pointers than any rookie in Mystics franchise historical past.

She stacks up properly in opposition to this specific class, too. Out of all WNBA rookies, she’s hit the second-most three-pointers (53) and dished out the second-most assists (122). Caitlin Clark leads each of these statistical classes, however saying that Vanloo has emerged as a succesful playmaker is an understatement.

Vanloo isn’t your common rookie — she’s 31 years outdated, and has loved an illustrious taking part in profession in Europe. That have has undoubtedly helped her regulate to the WNBA and function a vivid spot on a Mystics crew that’s struggled immensely this season.

Most just lately, she’s excelled in worldwide play. Although Belgium didn’t medal within the Olympics, Vanloo was a standout all through the event, averaging 14 factors per sport on 42.3% taking pictures. Notably, she led your complete Olympic discipline in assists per sport, averaging 6.8 an evening.

5. Kamilla Cardoso, Chicago Sky

Photograph by Steph Chambers/Getty Photographs

Stats: 8.1 factors (46.2% FG), 7.8 rebounds (3.3 offensive), 1.2 assists, 1.1 blocks
Minutes per sport: 26.2
Earlier rating: #3
Crew File: 10-14

Kamilla Cardoso missed the start of the WNBA season with a shoulder harm, however she’s been a gentle contributor ever since she returned to the lineup. She’s the second-leading rebounder amongst rookies, and the main shot-blocker (exterior of Cameron Brink, who’s out for the season).

However, Cardoso has made clear she sees her first half of the season as a leaping off level for even stronger play sooner or later.

“Truthfully, I feel it was first rate, however that’s prior to now,” Cardoso stated final week, per ClutchPoints. Now, we have now to give attention to the second half, and I’m very centered on ending, being extra sturdy, extra aggressive, getting extra rebounds. Simply being on the market with my teammates and doing no matter it takes to get wins.”

At 6’ 7, Cardoso has the bodily instruments wanted to be an excellent participant within the WNBA for a really very long time. She strikes down two spots within the August version of the Rookie Rankings as a result of different rookies have discovered their footing somewhat bit sooner than she has, however has nonetheless impressed throughout her time with the Sky.

“She’s simply touching the floor,” sky coach Theresa Witherspoon stated final month, per The Athletic. She hasn’t even scratched it but. She’s gonna be top-of-the-line gamers, top-of-the-line bigs to ever play this sport. She shall be referred to as such. That’s simply how she works, to wish to be referred to as such.”

4. Aaliyah Edwards, Washington Mystics

Photograph by Jordan Johnson/NBAE through Getty Photographs

Stats: 8.7 factors (49% FG), 5.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.8 blocks, 0.7 steals
Minutes per sport: 22.4
Earlier rating: #4
Crew File: 6-19

Aaliyah Edwards has been extremely impactful for the Mystics. The #6 decide within the WNBA Draft, Edwards has exceeded expectations along with her play early on, displaying a gentle contact across the rim and comfortability on each ends of the ground. She has one of the best discipline objective proportion (49%) amongst all WNBA rookies, and has proven that her sport can translate properly to the professionals. She’s additionally grown offensively as of late, placing up double-figure scoring numbers in three of her final 4 video games earlier than the break.

Her standout efficiency of the season (to date) was a 23-point, 14-rebound outing in opposition to the Sky on June sixth. After that sport, teammate Shatori Walker-Kimbrough sung Edwards’ praises.

“I simply want everybody to know when everybody’s speaking in regards to the rookie class, don’t neglect her identify,” Walker-Kimbrough stated. “She made an announcement in the present day. She makes an announcement day by day. She is available in, she works. She places her head down and works. She wants somewhat bit extra discuss, and he or she doesn’t let that have an effect on her.”

3. Rickea Jackson, Los Angeles Sparks

Photograph by Katharine Lotze/Getty Photographs

Stats: 11.4 factors (45% FG), 3.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.5 steals
Minutes per sport: 26.1
Earlier rating: #5
Crew File: 6-18

Rickea Jackson strikes up two spots, and he or she’d be greater if it weren’t for the very fact this rookie class has a number of standouts that have already got the highest spots on lock.

Jackson is the third main scorer amongst all WNBA rookies, and he or she’s achieved so effectively — taking pictures 45% from the sector. She just lately signed an endorsement contract with Skechers, nevertheless it’s truthful to say she hasn’t obtained ample nationwide consideration regardless of being considered one of three rookies averaging double-figures.

“She actually belongs, there’s not sufficient noise about what Rickea Jackson is doing,” Sparks head coach Curt Miller stated after the crew’s final sport earlier than the break. “She’s having an amazing rookie yr and there’s extra than simply a few rookies on this class. I hope that the nationwide buzz continues to select up as a result of she has a extremely, actually vivid future.”

2. Angel Reese, Chicago Sky

Photograph by Kate Frese/NBAE through Getty Photographs

Stats: 13.5 factors (40.2% FG), 12 rebounds (4.7 offensive), 1.8 rebounds, 1.4 steals
Minutes per sport: 31.7
Earlier rating: #2
Crew File: 10-14

There’s no different approach to put it: Angel Reese is within the midst of a historic rookie season. She broke a WNBA file for many consecutive double-doubles (15) final month, and is the main rebounder within the league, averaging 12 boards an evening.

Reese has had a number of marquee performances — headlined by a 27-point, 10-assist outing in a win over the Storm in July, and a 25-point, 16-rebound efficiency in a win over the Fever in June — however essentially the most spectacular a part of her rookie season has been her consistency. She’s grabbed double-digit rebounds in each sport since June 1st, and has had 18 double-doubles in 24 video games.

Many notable WNBA gamers, NBA gamers, and media personalities have named Angel Reese as their selection for Rookie of the 12 months, a listing that features Jaylen Brown and Breanna Stewart.

And in a standard yr, Reese can be the runaway favourite for Rookie of the 12 months. However, this isn’t a standard yr.

1. Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever

Photograph by Alex Slitz/Getty Photographs

Stats: 17.1 factors (40.5% FG, 32.7% 3P), 8.2 assists, 5.8 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 5.6 turnovers
Minutes per sport: 35.2
Earlier rating: #1
Crew File: 11-15

For a second there, the Rookie of the 12 months race was shut. Then, Caitlin Clark occurred.

She is main the whole WNBA in assists per sport, and already broke the all-time single-game help file with 19 assists (that’s not only for rookies, that’s all people). She’s someway additionally been the third-leading rebounder amongst WNBA rookies, whereas main all rookies in scoring.

There was a studying curve at first, and there nonetheless is one — the 5.6 turnovers a sport are usually not preferrred, and he or she’ll wish to lower them down, though her free-flowing play model will all the time put her in danger for extra turnovers than most.

However, Clark’s shouldering an offensive position that’s unmatched on this rookie class, and he or she’s been on a very insane stretch as of late — in her final 5 video games earlier than the Olympic break, she averaged 21.8 factors and 12.8 assists per sport.

Right here’s stat that finest captures her impression, per Rebecca Lobo: Caitlin Clark has scored or assisted on 849 of the Fever ‘s 2,033 factors this season (41.8%) — essentially the most factors (and highest proportion of crew factors) by any participant this season. Fairly unreal stuff, particularly for a rookie.