Caitlin Clark was nearly a unanimous choice for the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year. The Indiana Fever star, who dazzled in her debut season with 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and a league-leading 8.4 assists per game, received all but one vote for the honor.
That lone dissenting vote went to none other than Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese.
Reese, who averaged a double-double with 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds, undoubtedly made her presence felt on the court.
But while Clark helped lead Indiana to its first playoff appearance since 2016, Reese‘s Sky finished last in the Eastern Conference at 13-27. Statistically, the race for Rookie of the Year leaned heavily in Clark‘s favor, making the one-vote divergence all the more intriguing-and controversial.
Yet, numbers on the scoreboard are only part of the story. Off the court, Reese is rewriting the rules of visibility in women’s sports. She currently boasts 4.8 million Instagram followers-making her the most-followed player in WNBA history, and giving her a 1.7 million follower edge over Clark.
The debate heats up: stats vs. star power
As news of the vote and Reese‘s social media dominance began trending on X, it reignited the broader question on who is truly the face of the WNBA.
Some fans pointed to Clark‘s impact on ratings, attendance, and merchandise sales as proof that she’s the league’s main attraction, regardless of follower count.
“Followers don’t bring people to the arenas, don’t make people tune into the game and watch or purchase merchandise,” one fan posted. “The only true faces of this league is Caitlin and A’ja Wilson.”
Others pushed back against the idea that follower counts equate to league value.
“Instagram followers doesn’t mean you’re the face of the league,” another fan wrote.
The debate touches on a larger cultural crossroads for the WNBA. Clark, with her historic college career and unmatched playmaking, has drawn comparisons to Steph Curry.
She’s been a force in boosting viewership and ticket sales, helping sell out arenas in her rookie year. Reese, meanwhile, commands fashion campaigns, headlines brand deals, and leans unapologetically into her public persona-embracing the “Bayou Barbie” nickname and carving out a cultural identity that resonates with millions.
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