Basketball Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas praises Caitlin Clark's skills on "Don't @ Me with Dan Dakich," noting her "it factor" and impressive rookie year.
Basketball Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas recently joined Dan Dakich on OutKick's "Don't @ Me" to discuss the rookie season of WNBA star Caitlin Clark. Thomas, known for his exceptional court vision and playmaking abilities during his illustrious NBA career, was highly complimentary of Clark's talent and potential.
Clark, a highly touted prospect coming out of the University of Iowa, made an immediate impact in the WNBA. She was recently named WNBA Rookie of the Year by 66 of 67 voters. However, one lone vote cast for Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese sparked controversy.
Caitlin Clark's "It Factor": NBA Legend Isiah Thomas Weighs In
Multiple WNBA media members who voted for Clark claimed on social media that they had mistakenly chosen Reese instead. The identity of the voter who selected Reese remained unknown, but their decision ignited social media backlash.
Despite the lone dissenting vote, Clark's rookie year was statistically superior to any of the four previous players who unanimously won Rookie of the Year. She broke multiple league and franchise records, including the single-season record for assists, the rookie scoring record, and the most points by a guard in a single WNBA season.
Caitlin Clark's "It Factor": NBA Legend Isiah Thomas Weighs In
In head-to-head matchups with Reese, Clark's Fever team defeated the Sky three out of four times. While Reese had the edge in points and rebounds in two of those contests, Clark consistently recorded more assists.
Clark's leadership and scoring prowess led the Fever to the playoffs for the first time in eight years. The Fever finished the season with a 12-22 record, a significant improvement from their previous season.
Caitlin Clark's "It Factor": NBA Legend Isiah Thomas Weighs In
Reese, despite a season-ending wrist injury, had a strong rookie campaign. She broke the WNBA single-season record for rebounds (418) but later lost the record to MVP A'ja Wilson. Reese also averaged 13.6 points per game, 1.9 assists, and 0.5 blocks.
Despite the statistical discrepancies between Clark and Reese, former NBA All-Star Joakim Noah expressed his support for Reese as Rookie of the Year. Noah, who specialized in rebounding, praised Reese's play style and physical attributes.
Reese's 6-foot-3 height gave her a significant advantage in rebounding over Clark's 6-foot frame. Reese averaged 13.1 rebounds per game, more than twice as many as Clark's 5.7.
Caitlin Clark's impressive rookie season showcased her exceptional skill set and solidified her status as one of the league's brightest stars. Despite the lone dissenting vote, her dominant performance and impact on the Fever left an undeniable mark on the WNBA.
