Former NBA All-Star Joakim Noah shares his unique perspective on the highly competitive Rookie of the Year race in the WNBA, expressing his preference for Angel Reese over Caitlin Clark. Noah's reasoning stems from Reese's playing style, which he finds reminiscent of his own.
Former NBA All-Star Joakim Noah has entered the fray of the captivating Rookie of the Year debate in the WNBA, adding his voice to the discourse during an interview at NBA Night at the Emirates Suite at the U.S. Open. While acknowledging the remarkable achievements of both Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark, Noah declared his support for Reese, citing her play style as a primary reason.
Former NBA Star Joakim Noah Weighs In on Fierce Rookie of the Year Race in WNBA
"I would say Angel Reese," Noah stated succinctly, without hesitation.
Noah's preference for Reese, however, is not driven by a statistical analysis. The 6-foot-11 former center finds a kinship with the 6-foot-3 Reese's playing style, which he believes mirrors his own. "When I look at her play, she reminds me a lot of myself," Noah explained.
Former NBA Star Joakim Noah Weighs In on Fierce Rookie of the Year Race in WNBA
Despite Reese's three-inch height advantage over Clark, the latter holds a more impressive statistical profile in nearly all categories. Clark boasts higher averages in points, assists, steals, blocks, and all shooting percentages. However, Reese's dominance on the boards is undeniable, with a significant 13.2 rebounds per game compared to Clark's 5.8.
In their head-to-head matchups, the Indiana Fever have emerged victorious over the Chicago Sky three times out of four. In two of those encounters, Reese surpassed Clark in points, while securing more rebounds in all four meetings. Clark, however, maintained a slight advantage in assists.
Former NBA Star Joakim Noah Weighs In on Fierce Rookie of the Year Race in WNBA
Reese's physicality has been evident in her confrontations with Clark, leading to a notable flagrant 1 foul in one instance. In the 2023 NCAA women's title game, Reese's size advantage proved pivotal, as she outperformed Clark with 15 points and 10 rebounds, helping LSU secure a decisive 102-85 victory over Clark's Iowa team.
Despite Clark's superior offensive numbers and the Sky's overall success, Reese has garnered support from some, including Noah. As a former Chicago Bull, Noah admits to his bias towards Reese, a member of the Chicago Sky. "She's Chicago Sky, I'm Chicago," Noah said.
Noah has witnessed firsthand the impact of an exceptional young player breaking onto the scene. In 2009, he observed the phenomenal Rookie of the Year campaign of Derrick Rose, who went on to become the youngest MVP in league history at age 22. Noah acknowledges the similarities between Rose and Clark, but emphasizes the unique qualities that draw him to Reese's game.
"That being said, Caitlin Clark is a beast," Noah concedes, acknowledging Clark's remarkable achievements, including becoming the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 100 3-pointers in a season and surpassing Tamika Catchings for the most points by a rookie in Fever history. Despite these accolades, Noah remains steadfast in his support for Reese, highlighting her exceptional rebounding and physical presence on the court.
The Rookie of the Year race remains highly competitive, with both Reese and Clark delivering exceptional performances. As the season nears its conclusion, it will be intriguing to witness the outcome of this captivating contest.
