WNBA rookie tracker: Clark, Fever win first home game
The 2024 WNBA season is off and running for one of the most anticipated rookie classes in league history. With the WNBA at a tipping point, all eyes are on Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, the No. 1 pick in April’s draft and the NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer.
But the rookie class is loaded with potential future stars. In addition to Clark, forwards Cameron Brink, the No. 2 draft pick with the Los Angeles Sparks, and Angel Reese, the No. 7 pick to the Chicago Sky, continue to be among the rookies in starting lineups.
How are the top rookies playing? We’ll track their performances every time they take the court, so check back every game day.
Last updated: June 1
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Kamilla Cardoso gets her first WNBA points on a layup
Chennedy Carter finds Kamilla Cardoso for the layup and the rookie’s first-career points.
Center | 6-foot-7 | Game log | Stats
Last time out: After missing the past month with a shoulder injury, Cardoso made her WNBA regular-season debut and finished with 11 points on 5-for-7 shooting in 18 minutes (coach Teresa Weatherspoon said pregame that Cardoso would be on a minutes restriction). Her six rebounds off the bench helped the Sky win the battle on the glass 43-33. Cardoso picked up four fouls in the second half, as she battled hard against former South Carolina teammate Aliyah Boston — and helped get her into foul trouble, too.
What stood out: Teammate Reese said before the game that “you can’t teach 6-foot-7,” and that was apparent for Cardoso as soon as she took the floor. The 2024 Final Four Most Outstanding Player was difficult for the Fever to contain and had an instant impact for Chicago whenever she was on the court. So much so that Weatherspoon turned to Cardoso instead of starting veteran center Elizabeth Williams for the final six minutes of the game, and the rookie ultimately came away with a team-best plus/minus of plus-11.
Despite having been sidelined up to this point and just embarking on her pro career, Cardoso looked fairly comfortable playing, which is great news for Chicago as it looks to incorporate her into its now-healthy frontcourt. — Alexa Philippou
Up next: vs. New York Liberty on Tuesday (8 p.m. ET, NBA TV)
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Caitlin Clark: Chennedy Carter’s foul ‘not a basketball play’
Caitlin Clark says the foul Chennedy Carter committed on her at the end of the third was not a basketball play.
Guard | 6-foot-0 | Game log | Stats
Last time out: Clark continued to showcase her strengths of 3-point shooting, getting to the rim and facilitating for others in the Fever’s win Saturday over the Sky. On the afternoon, Indiana shot 6-for-10 off Clark passes and went 4-for-6 on her drives.
The No. 1 pick cooled off in the second half scoringwise, making just 1 of 5 shots and managing three points in the final 20 minutes. Ultimately she ended up with 11 points (the fourth time she has been held under 15), 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal and 5 turnovers.
Clark became the first rookie in WNBA history to record 150 points, 50 rebounds and 50 assists in a 10-game span.
What stood out: Nine of Clark’s 11 shots from the field were 3-point attempts, and she admitted postgame she thought she could have gotten into the paint more, something she had generally improved on over the course of the season. One of her shots inside the arc came when she backed down Dana Evans for a layup, a different kind of play than we’d seen her utilize before.
Even though they shot 39% from the field, the Fever’s offense looked more fluid than it has in previous games as they lamented afterward they left points on the board by missing makeable shots. The play of the game came when Clark hit Erica Wheeler in transition with a long pass down the floor, and then Wheeler delivered it to an airborne Kelsey Mitchell, who finished through contact for the layup. The no-dribble sequence showed what the Fever can be at their best. — Philippou
Up next: at New York Liberty on Sunday (7 p.m. ET, NBA TV)
Forward | 6-foot-3 | Game log | Stats
Last time out: Another day, another strong rebounding effort for Reese. Her 13 boards against the Fever were a season high, with eight coming on the offensive end. The former LSU star has compiled four games with five offensive boards, the most in the league this season, while her 35 offensive rebounds are the fourth most by any player through seven games to begin a season in league history.
Reese fell just short of her second career double-double, finishing with eight points. She struggled converting inside the paint (where she was 2-for-9) but continued to find ways to draw fouls and sank 4 of 6 free throws, the most foul shots any player attempted on the afternoon. Her two makes from the field came on a putback and a midrange jumper.
What stood out: With her primarily going up against former lottery pick NaLyssa Smith, Reese’s two made shots from the field and 22.2% shooting were season lows. The rookie has said she has been focusing on her finishing package, even as she impacts the game in other ways.
The bright side was Chicago got to see its draft selections in Reese and Cardoso take the floor together for the first time, with the two combining for 19 points and 19 rebounds. — Philippou
Up next: vs. New York Liberty on Tuesday (8 p.m. ET, NBA TV)
Forward | 6-foot-2 | Game log | Stats
Last time out: With guard Layshia Clarendon out a second consecutive game due to concussion protocol, Jackson got another start Thursday as the Sparks fell 83-73 at Chicago. Jackson’s offensive efficiency has stood out; she was 4-of-5 from the field and 2-of-3 from the foul line for 10 points vs. the Sky. She also had 5 rebounds. Jackson is shooting a team-best 53.3% from the field in the Sparks’ seven games, which suggests perhaps she should be getting more touches. She has scored in double figures four times.
What stood out: Jackson has responded well to being in the starting lineup. Ideally, a frontcourt with Dearica Hamby (24 points, 13 rebounds Thursday), Cameron Brink and Jackson should be strong. The Sparks just need time for it to jell. — Voepel
Up next: at Phoenix Mercury on Sunday (6 p.m. ET)
Forward | 6-foot-4 | Game log | Stats
Last time out: Brink had 7 points — on 2-of-6 shooting — 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals in the Sparks’ 83-73 loss at Chicago on Thursday. After a season-best 21 points on Sunday, she has had two single-digit scoring outings.
What stood out: Brink’s post moves as a WNBA player in several instances have been very good, and it seems it is only a matter of time before she is a consistent double-double threat. But as we mentioned after Tuesday’s win at Indiana, in which Brink was limited to 3 points, inconsistency is a part of acclimating to the pro league. That said, the Sparks guards didn’t help Brink or Jackson much Thursday, as they were a combined 7-of-27 from field (25.9%). — Voepel
Up next: at Phoenix Mercury on Sunday (6 p.m. ET)
